Translator's Note Written in Old Norse by an unknown Icelandic author in the 14th century, Viking Saga describes events that supposedly occurred many centuries earlier, starting in the year 792. Although many of the events described in Viking Saga are mentioned in other Norse sagas (i.e. Snorri Sturulson's Lives of the Kings of Norway) or have been confirmed by archaeology, there persists an academic debate as to how much, if any, of Viking Saga is historical fact. The debate began in 1837, when Professor Bethel of Oxford first translated Viking Saga into English, making it accessible to a world-wide audience for the first time. In the opinion of this translator, Viking Saga accurately reflects Norway's earliest history, though certain elements (i.e. scenes dealing with magic and the supernatural) are probably fictional. Regardless, most readers are less interested in its historical precision than its old-fashioned literary value. In that respect, there is simply no debate. Viking Saga is an astonishing and great work of art, crammed with exciting scenes and descriptions of lyrical beauty, along with flashes of authentic folk-wisdom and exquisite comedy. Although not as famous as the socalled "classic" sagas (such as Njal's Saga, Egil's Saga and The Saga of the Volsungs), Viking Saga is an outstanding example of medieval story-telling. It is my personal favourite, and deserves a much wider audience. I am honoured to translate this work for contemporary readers; the last English translation was made back in 1933, by Professor Winsome of the University of Los Angeles. Now it is time to introduce Halfdan the Black and his world to a new generation. I would like to thank the publishers, and my secretary, and of course my family, for their patience during the lengthy process of translation. Mark H. Coakley University of Toronto, 2010

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Gødrød had returned home with a surprising woman. Halfdan grew up in the small farming-town of Os. After many adventures. Gødrød and Aasa were often at the palace at the same time. as Aasa's first husband had not touched her in a long time. All of the gossip-loving folk in Os wanted to know their story. her belly growing bigger and bigger. and formed a soft ball around her head. she was placed in the communal grave near Os. learning that Aasa was lonely and that her husband preferred boys. the Fjordane Assembly had sentenced Gødrød to three years as an outlaw. and was able arrange a wedding in a Russian Christian church. Gødrød had killed a few other local young men. Gødrød had spent the early years of his exile in Russia. As Gødrød was too poor to afford to pay compensation to
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. Aasa became very sick in the long. a place far to the south that nobody here had ever heard of. in the kingdom of Fjordane. fleeing Constantinople on horseback by night. They kept their love secret from everybody in Constantinople. who lived and died long ago. as punishment for these wrongs. As a young man. and from the pale and pointy-nosed girls he remembered from Os -. this is what happened. When her coughing finally ended. these qualities. After twelve years in the east -. Aasa's odd-looking and darkly beautiful face -. and few even thought about him much anymore -. So Gødrød and Aasa stole as many treasures from the Empress and from Aasa's first husband as they could quickly get their hands on. Gødrød and Aasa knew that it would be impossible to hide her unfaithfulness when her belly started to bulge. There was born the hero of this saga. She coughed and coughed.appealed to him. to the west. for no reason other than boredom. Aasa had very dark skin. believing in Odin. including losing their horses and treasure to bandits in Lithuania. tightly curled. The fugitives continued west on horseback. She said that she was from Nubia. where he was a diplomat to the Roman Empress.so different from Roman women. Gødrød had also lived in Constantinople then. and folk still followed the old customs. He was fathered by Gødrød the Toothy and mothered by an outlander woman called Aasa. and could not remember why he had axed two of his friends to shreds during a drinking-fest in a mountainside shepherd's hut. she became pregnant. Freya and other old gods. Gødrød guided his huge-bellied wife over Norway's eastern mountains and into the kingdom of Fjordane and to his home-town of Os. When his drinking finally ended. Aasa's first husband had travelled with Aasa from Nubia to Constantinople. Gødrød.1: PARENTAGE There was a man called Halfdan the Black. Aasa agreed. he was held in chains for manslaughter. dark winter of Halfdan's second year. drank and drank. Tor. Gødrød rode east across the mountains. Aasa's hair was completely black.when nobody in Os knew if he was still alive. Nobody in Os could remember ever seeing a person like her before. long later. Until. He had learned to speak Greek and to pretend to worship Christ. able to bear his sadness only with strong mead. He spied on her. How had they met? Briefly. had earned him a job in Constantinople as a bodyguard for the Empress Irene. when the folk of Norway were still ruled by many small kingdoms. Forced into exile. When Gødrød approached her. and his skill with spear and ax.

never to return. the Fjordane Assembly outlawed him again. across the mountains. Nobody knows what happened to him. this time for seven years.the families of the victims. He plays no more part in this saga. Gødrød placed his son in the foster-care of Gødrød's sister and brother-in-law. Before his second exile. Gødrød rode again to the east.
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More than once. He spoke little. Even when very young. Halfdan grew a passion for listening to and composing spontaneous poetry. and also because the word "black" in Old Norse also meant "wicked". when Halfdan was a young child." But as Halfdan grew into a young man. (In Os."
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. visiting Swedes were rare. for a while. Uncle Harald told him to forget about becoming a farmer or shepherd or fisherman. his Uncle Harald taught him to use his anger and violence for good ends. to a family-member or one of his few friends.2: HALFDAN INTRODUCED Halfdan was a difficult child to raise. trying to wipe off the brown paint. Nobody in Fjordane had ever seen folk with Aasa's and Halfdan's curly hair and skin much darker than theirs. you can kill folk for the government and be a famous hero. His odd looks always attracted attention. He delighted in disobeying rules and fighting. an adult grabbed him to rub snow or water on Halfdan's skin. "He is going to grow up to be a blood-stained criminal like his father. Halfdan's heart would sometimes empty of its fury and pain. He was soon nicknamed "Halfdan the Black. He would often laze away long winter nights by the fire. and his few words were usually rude.) Often. When Halfdan chanted one of his rhyming and alliterating poems. "so that instead of pointlessly killing folk around here and being exiled for it like your father. making up poems in his head. Halfdan was told to try to become a professional fighter for the King of Fjordane. and only a few had heard of King Charlemagne. he would use that oldest of arts to express the feelings swirling inside his orphaned heart. folk would think that Halfdan had been covered with paint as a prank. Danes and Finns were seen as wildly exotic. Folk in Os said." for the obvious reason.

and had lived in the hall as one of the King's fighters for eleven years. which was the biggest town in the kingdom of Fjordane. It stood aloof from Eid's other buildings. On the other side of the town-wall was a ragged line of shadowy trees that stretched up the dark mountain-face. "Beautiful. His black hair hung in tangled curls from the top of his head. twisted into the shape of a bug-eyed. Tor. One dog was now sniffing at the early-fall wind. He lifted a hand as if to reach up and pull down some of the glittering stars. the grimacing faces of Odin. its oiled iron blade hiding in a sheath of cloth-wrapped oak-wood. A bit drunk. for both men and women. It was surrounded by rich soil farmed by King Lambi. and at the clear sky filled with sharp silver stars and a honey-yellow moon. Baldur. His face and body were covered with scars. Halfdan stopped walking. from a long night of feasting and boozing with visitors from the neighbouring kingdoms of Sogn and Førde. He had one chipped front tooth. Loki and others. Halfdan turned and walked towards a row of out-houses on the east side of the big building." he whispered. As he was walking back towards the hall's front door. The belt-buckle was made of silver. Halfdan looked up at the brooding snowtopped mountain-range overhead. The hall was a hulking rectangle of oak boards nailed to thick oak beams holding up a high roof. To his right and across a grassy space was the high wooden wall that surrounded Eid. He yawned and aimed himself and soon felt better. In his hair and thick beard. Halfdan was now twenty-seven years old. Halfdan went to the corner of the hall and turned left again and went fast towards a row of woven-wicker huts down-wind of the hall. tied at his waist by a belt of reindeer-leather. droopy summer-flowers. As was then customary in Norway on festive or formal occasions. On the flat-stone path in front of him. The hall was the biggest building in the town of Eid. Halfdan walked past a row of carved and painted masks of the gods hanging on the outside hall-wall. He had to piss. staring up. A sword dangled from the belt. The well-used weapon swung forward and back beside the wool cloth of his right pant-leg as he walked. some of whose names are now forgotten. A "T"-shaped Tor-idol of clay hung from a string around his muscle-thick neck. Halfdan had smeared blue paint around both of his eyes. cat-like beast with hands that gripped itself.
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. It was night.3: A FULL BLADDER Halfdan the Black stepped out of King Lambi's hall. A smell of beery piss and puke rose from the hole in the ground by his cow-leather shoes. He wore a long-sleeved grey linen shirt that hung almost to his knees. on the back and sides of his head. Freyir. The dogs knew Halfdan's smell and ignored him. it was cut short. Its sloping roof was covered with tall clumps of grass and dying. a few guard-dogs were lying together. Halfdan went in an out-house. Halfdan again noticed the guard-dogs on the path of flat stones that led towards the rest of the town. almost to the skin. there were a few thin strands of grey.

The dogs were now eating something. It would be painful and slow.
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. Where had the food come from? Halfdan. suspicious. "Tor!" His legs went weak and he fell backwards. the dogs had been resting on the ground and one had been sniffing the night-wind. A wood arrow-shaft with grey guide-feathers was now sticking straight out of his belly. He knew he was dying. A bad way to end. Arrow-shot in the gut. He was staring at the dogs and about to go over to them to see what they were eating when something hit him in the lower part of his belly. Halfdan was surprised. Halfdan gasped and looked down. He gasped. He landed on his back on the cold lumpy ground. It hit him hard and punched his breath out. stopped walking. Before his piss.

which held up a table running perpendicular to the rest. He owns more farms than anybody else.preparing himself to die for a reason he did not know. and on each shelf was resting the dried head of a man. its size and solid construction had greatly impressed him. "Whenever he finishes visiting his other properties around the kingdom. This place had been the center of his life. and Halfdan could see the unlit tips of candles sticking up from the inside of each skull. clerks. Halfdan's mouth had dropped open in amazement. the eye-lids of others squinted or were completely shut. fresh smell. Furs hung on the walls too: the grey skins of wolves. "Tor!" Halfdan had never seen a place like it before. fancily-painted chairs behind it. that glittered faintly in the sunlight beaming in through small. long before this time.he turned his head sideways to look at the shadowy outer wall of King Lambi's hall. the Queens and their serving-girls. he had once enjoyed a victory-feast here. with bronze shield-hooks. Halfdan saw other faces too: there were small shelves on the thick oak beams holding up the roof. The top of each head was gone. Messy. as a reward from the previous king for brave military service in the Third Great Swedish War. Harald said. A single long fireplace stretched from one end of the hall to the other. high windows. The room was so big! Halfdan had known entire families in Os who had fed themselves on farmland smaller than this! Some parts of the wood walls were undecorated. dull town of Os at sixteen. the larger brown skins of reindeer and moose and boar-pig. Elsewhere. with tall. brittle-looking hair and beards dangled from the wrinkled. Uncle Harald said. brightlycoloured wool tapestries hung on the walls. the pain of the arrow reaching deeper and deeper into his guts -. dozens of chairs were stacked by the long inner walls. At the far end of the room was a raised platform. local nobles. ever since leaving the small. The King and his fighters. And the first day he had seen it from the inside. poets and too many slaves to count. grassy ground -. and the huge yellow-white pelts of the legendary northern bear. It had seemed to be a single large room (though he learned later that the King and his Queens had a separate sleeping-room at the back). giving off a nice." Harald had known this because. The bestial faces of these hunting-trophies snarled at the high ceiling. and he likes to
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. escorted there (when it was empty) by his nervous-looking Uncle Harald. "When will King Lambi come back to Eid?" Halfdan asked. Two rows of long tables went along both sides of the fireplace. Some looked like they had sat there for a long time. the size of a real boar-pig. Straw and wildflowers were strewn across the dirt floor. In front of this king-table stood a bronze idol of a boar-pig. showing vivid scenes of men and gods feasting and in battle. there are lots of folk hanging around in the evening here.4: THE HALL As Halfdan lay stunned on the bumpy. "When Lambi is in town. all along the fjord. The first time Halfdan had seen the building from the outside. Swollen blackish eyes bulged out of some heads. shrivelled grey skin of the lifeless and grimacing heads.

he was used to it. When the man in the middle of this table stood. a man was sitting on the highest chair in the middle of the table. the king-ship had returned to the Eid docks. "He should. filled the room with warm orange light. "You were born with strong luck. Halfdan stopped and stared. and Halfdan (wearing new clothes. The sword-handle was of plain. to get some dirt on his hands and keep his local managers honest. Purple paint circled each of King Lambi's eyes. The air smelled of male bodies and roasted meat. Halfdan knew that this had to be King Lambi." "I know you will. When he is done all that. On the raised platform at the far end of the hall. Men sat at tables in front of clay plates covered with bones and other dinner-waste. His beard and hair were thick and yellow. Dozens of shields hung from the walls behind the tables. Unlike at the other tables. No matter what I have to do. The king wore a fulllength gown of shiny red silk -. A clerk had taken the bag of silver. Usually he did not mind being stared at." Harald said. he will be back. Everybody stared at Halfdan. and things had gone as Harald had predicted.a magic kind of imported cloth that only a king or the richest of nobles could afford. My bag of silver-bits will get you in. Fate has something special planned for you. It has been arranged. most folk in Os had always viewed him as a freak." Harald said. "This is not a time to be timid. or you'll be sent away." As he walked with his uncle deeper into the hall. But now the staring eyes of this crowd of big-town folk made him more nervous. "Come. And the business of ruling also pulls him all over the kingdom: taking gifts of silver from some nobles to keep them from getting too rich. These men held silver-decorated drinking-horns and were talking and laughing until the two visitors from Os walked in. in front of witnesses. it was full of many different kinds of folk. and with fresh blue paint smeared around his eyes) went inside the hall for the second time. along with the cooking-fire in the middle of the room. getting accepted is not the hard part. held a sword that was almost as long as his leg. Once you are in the hall. Harald and Halfdan had been told to report to the hall that night. The man was tall and thick-shouldered and fifty-seven years old. it had obviously been chosen less for display than for use. with some grey twisting through his long. as his uncle had described. between the long tables towards the far end. Many shaven-headed slaves were cleaning up after dinner or carrying beer buckets from table to table. and that's what Lambi looks for in a man." "I will prove myself." A few days later. The candles sticking out of the man-heads on the shelves were burning and they." "And then he will accept me as one of his fighters?" Harald said. King Lambi's belt. you have to prove yourself. But as I told you.check each of them regularly. glittering with bits of honey-yellow amber. giving silver to other nobles to keep them from getting too ambitious. When darkness finally came.
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. and hearing reports from his spies." Harald placed a hand on Halfdan's shoulder. all went quiet. a few finely-dressed women were sitting up here. well-used leather. "You're good with a weapon and even better with a poem. Halfdan saw more of the man who many poets called the strongest and the wisest of all Norse kings. braided beard. Then. We are proud of the man you have become.

he is an excellent poet." King Lambi said. Perfectly. "Why is your nephew's face so black?" Harald said. More confident. or serve nothing! After a pause. "Is this the boy who wants to fight for me?" Harald said. This is my nephew. King Lambi was still standing behind his table on the platform. and passed on her looks to him. and there was some laughter from the men sitting in the chairs. "Then tell me a poem. my lord." King Lambi leaned forward and placed both of his fists on the table-top and said to Halfdan. you may be worthy. and he is the best young fighter in the town of Os. King Lambi was wearing a long white linen gown. but also many much worse. He seemed to be nodding slightly in approval. The king and some others waited for him outside the hall.King Lambi then spoke. troll-faced boy. Come back tomorrow at noon. Finally he said.
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." Halfdan walked out of the hall with a big grin across his face." Harald glanced at Halfdan. alone. taking a step backwards. in a booming deep voice. "If you can fight as well as you rhyme and alliterate. A grey stallion was tied to a stake in the ground. saying. and join your war-ship's crew! I knew that I needed To serve you. "Yes. He will serve you well. "His mother was an outlander. Halfdan showed up at the hall for the hall-joining ritual. Most were impressed to hear it from someone so young and so odd-looking. Halfdan said: My lord is famous for Feeding crows with unlucky foes Blood-steaming battlefields Gave birth to your worthy rule All have heard of your riches How you spread it around Your fighters wear fancy clothes With such fine treats to eat Halfdan gestured with one hand towards the feasting-tables surrounding him. After a long pause. standing in a group on a field. The next day. The men at the tables had all heard better poems. my lord. Halfdan said lamely. They all wore fancy clothes and face-paint too. and a few hoots." There was some clapping. "The end. again wearing newly-bought clothes and fresh blue paint smeared around his eyes. Make one up about why I should hire you. Halfdan son of Gødrød." "Can it even speak Norse?" "He can. Halfdan glared at King Lambi and shouted: Since youth I yearned to serve You. In fact.

Your new life starts now. he stood. He was distracted for moment by the buzzing sound of a hornet flying past his head. the hurt sprayed and drenched him in hot. It reared up to its back legs. feasted on horse-steak and listened awe-struck to King Lambi singing sad old songs and playing a silver harp." King Lambi said. knowing that you can never leave my service." King Lambi had said. It went onto his eyes and blinded him. bubbling groan from the dying horse. do you vow to take revenge on my killer. like an unnatural-looking beast with gripping hands. He had to hold his breath to keep the reeking gore out of his nose. then put a big wood box at his feet. On one end of the belt was a silver belt-buckle shaped. "Stand up. King Lambi held the horse's head with one hand and. A low." Halfdan finally allowed himself to move. if you should ever break your vows made here today?" "I do." "And will you accept the greatest suffering and the greatest shame known to man or gods. Kneel in front of the horse." A man in priests' clothing gave King Lambi a wide. "Get yourself cleaned up. "Do you vow to protect me from all foes. Halfdan did not flinch. with the other." When Halfdan had done so. In the box there was also a pair of shiny cow-leather shoes and a pig-leather belt. When the last of the horse-blood was off him. "The gods approve!" shouted the priest who had brought the knife. A slave handed him a bucket of water. Halfdan the Black. "My first gift to you." Halfdan said. even if he is of your family?" "I do. As Halfdan knelt in front of the startled beast. bronze-bladed knife." "If I am struck down. Halfdan drank horn after horn of mead and beer. He saw with joy that it was full of fancylooking new clothes.King Lambi said. except by your death or by my command?" "I do. King Lambi said. "Halfdan son of Gødrød." King Lambi said. then he forced himself to concentrate on what the king was saying. Fine wool pants and thick wool socks and a puffy-sleeved white shirt made of the same linen as the gown King Lambi now wore. "Do you choose to join my bodyguard. sticky blood.
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. the group of men cheered. cut its throat. and fell down dead. When the horse stopped kicking. His knew that his good luck would not let him be struck by any of the random hoof-swipes. "Then let us see if the gods approve. It raised its big front hooves and started kicking wildly over the blood-soaked head of the unmoving young man kneeling on red-drenched grass. as described earlier. both inside and outside Fjordane?" "Yes. Halfdan opened the lid of the box. and he was right. That night in the hall. Halfdan took off all his bloody clothes and washed his body clean with a cloth dipped in the bucket.

No jolt of pain. He yelled.the long-ago gift from King Lambi. He was getting his breath back. Such hurts were usually accompanied by the smell of shit leaking from a torn-open large intestine. There was no shit-smell now. Had someone inside barred the door shut? Why? Halfdan raised his sword and banged its handle hard onto the thick oak-wood door-planks. The arrow had stuck into the soft silver of his belt-buckle -. Then what had happened? Halfdan moved a hand to the arrow-shaft and touched it. or just his imagination? Halfdan raised his sword-handle again and was about to bang on the door again when he heard a sound of a bow-string behind him. Halfdan was very confused. Halfdan flinched. a finger's-length away from his head.5: RUNNING AWAY Eleven years later -. The belt-buckle. He heaved back with all his strength. So lucky! He yanked the arrow-tip out of the belt buckle and glanced at it. His heart was pounding with nearpanic. the sort that could be used for either hunting or war. The dogs were still eating whatever they had found. He looked around the darkness. unsteady from both the arrow-impact and the horns of booze drunk earlier. still breathing heavily. not far from where he had undergone the joining-ritual -. Just a normallooking arrow. He tossed it aside. He touched the thin piece of ash-wood with his hand and tried to move it. It should have easily swung open on its greased iron hinges. He pushed himself to his feet and. It had always done so before.lying on his back on the cold ground in the shadow of King Lambi's hall. The wall-masks of the gods glared blankly past him. It was stuck solidly into something. he staggered quickly to the front of the hall. tugging at the handle. No use. and the pain in his gut was getting less strong. not like this. What was going on? He had to go inside to warn King Lambi. His skin under the belt-buckle felt sore but unbroken. Who had shot him? He could not see anybody. he yanked at the handle of the heavy oak door.
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. Had he woken up anybody? Was that a scraping sound coming through the wood. Halfdan rolled over and onto his hands and knees. Arrow-shots to the belly were known to be extremely painful. With his free hand. drew out his sword.Halfdan realized that he was not dying from the arrow after all. He raised his head to look. just as an arrow stabbed into the door. but not him. He had to warn them. "Open! Open the door! Someone out here just tried to kill me! Open! Help!" He stopped banging and yelling for a moment to listen through the door. It was somehow jammed shut. It had saved his life. But now the door would not open. The barbed iron tip of the arrow had stuck into one of the paws of the decorative beast-shape. Looking all around for the unfriendly archer.

the door to the hall behind him would not open. He landed on his feet on the ground on the other side. He had been in many battles. held upright and together by iron nails and thick pine-wood cross-beams. but one of his feet tripped into a thick branch-loop and he flung forwards and down into the mass of
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. Iron-tipped arrows spat hissing over his shoulders. And a group of five or six dogs was running towards the part of the fence Halfdan had climbed over. excited-looking war-dogs. Without a thought. a few of them were archers. He raced past a row of smelly wicker huts and across King Lambi's farm-field. Halfdan heard the man shout. which made the hall guard-dogs start barking back. mixed with the noises of dogs fighting dogs. it was too dark to see the ground well. his thinking slowed by all the beer he had guzzled inside the hall -. rolling his body onto the ground at the moment of impact. and ran away from the fence. Again the arrow missed. and towards the town wall. tried to jump over them. a small distance under Halfdan's crotch. were running towards him in a battle-line. He was alone. the indistinct yelling of men. From the direction of the hall. "Tor's balls!" Halfdan shouted. He could not make out any of their words. Hard to breathe. he heard. These arriving dogs started barking. He grabbed a branch and pulled himself high enough up to see over the top of the town wall. but they did not sound friendly. without a leader giving commands. He heard the sound of an archer shooting at him again and ducked. Halfdan turned and ran. The night filled with barking and growling as the two groups of dogs ran madly at each other. now completely panic-filled. towards the line of trees at the base of the mountain-range in front of him. and he often stumbled. One of them pointed at where Halfdan hung from the tree branch. Helpless fear pounded in his chest and neck. forgetting to check the back door to the hall. King Lambi's hall was surrounded by dozens of helmet-wearing strangers and their snarling war-dogs. It was made of sharpened pine-logs. He tossed his sword over it and leaped high to grab the top of the fence and threw a foot on a cross-beam and hurled himself over. Some were being dragged forward by chains attached to big. low branches. fifty or sixty at least.He turned around. He ran towards some raspberry bushes. followed by a larger number of the mysterious fighters. then bouncing quickly up. There was nothing he could do for those inside. He would die if he stayed here. Halfdan's head and the top of his body could be seen from inside the fence. A bow-string twanged from their direction. but this was different. "Look! He's hiding up that tree! Lift the dogs over the fence and they'll trap him up there!" Halfdan dropped back to the ground. Back towards the out-houses. and another grey-feathered arrow bit into the door between his legs. Who were they? He was standing near an oak-tree with thick. Despite the light of stars and moon. Most of the men running towards Halfdan were carrying shields in one hand and a spear or an ax or a sword in the other hand.Halfdan was not at all ready for this! An army was running at him from the front. which was covered with barley-stubble from the recent harvest. A crowd of armed men wearing war-helmets.

His right one was covered by an untied cow-leather shoe. How could he fight off dogs or armed fighters with empty hands? He couldn't. This was the lowest part of the mountain that brooded over Eid. Behind him. Halfdan hissed. Once he blundered off the trail and felt his feet and ankles burning from the acid licks of stinging nettles. His face still stung and bled from the thorns of that raspberry bush. The dogs were still barking somewhere in the darkness behind him. ages ago.
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. He ran. familiar pain in one knee (years ago. ripping skin from his beard-covered cheek and one of his ears. Sometimes he saw patches of clear starry sky overhead through the dim branches overhead. He felt an old. He had to get away from their fast. Inside the forest. and seemed to be getting louder. Heard the barking dogs -getting closer? He looked at his feet. His bare feet slipped in the cold gravelly mud of the trail and scraped on small rocks. and the chunks of rock strewn between the tree-trunks were covered with green moss. he passed under the thick moss-covered branches of a fallen tree and tripped over some tangled roots twisting out of the ground. "Fool!" he said again. He ran through piles of rocks from long-ago avalanches. He ran past some big chunks of granitestone that had. His left foot was bare. Breathing hard. Halfdan realized something. He ran around the boulders and scattered bushes and trees and came to a mud-banked stream. "Tor's balls! Forget it!" He kicked off the single shoe and ran barefoot into the forest. He stumbled away in the light of moon and stars. heavy bodies and terrible teeth. They sounded like they were on this side of the wall. it throbbed more and more as he ran. As he jumped over the thin flow of water and used both hands to scramble up the chilly. Each clumsy knot he tried to make fell apart. he heard the deep baying of dogs. rolled down from the mountain. His falling face slid along a thorn-covered branch. The birch and pine and occasional oak trees grew closer together here. He bent to tie the strings on his right shoe with trembling fingers. "Fool!" and slapped his forehead. He followed a rockstrewn trail that twisted up-mountain through the rocks and trees and clumps of low bushes. One of his shoes had fallen off. The dark around him and the confusion inside made it hard to move fast up the mountain-base. If they caught him. he had twisted it while jumping off a war-ship to raid a town with King Lambi). they would easily kill him. He dropped his sword and peeled the gripping thorns off his face. slippery mud of the other side. Blood and raspberry-juice dripped onto his white linen shirt. He had forgotten his sword and one shoe in the raspberry bushes. The ground was now sloping upwards. he stopped to listen behind him.spiky berry-branches.

he heard the sounds of snarling close behind him. The trail got steeper as it went past the tinkling waterfall and twisted around giant boulders towards a steep. He fell onto a man-sized pine-tree. hands now covered with sticky pine-sap and bits of bark and dry needles. Who was attacking the hall? What was happening to his king and all his friends? Why? No sound of barking now. Blood pounded in his neck and head. His legs and back muscles ached from the exertion.A short while after. The dark waterfall was sided by steep granite cliffs. They sounded closer. The rocks were covered with big. He had been to this place a few times before. He needed some kind of weapon. breathing harshly. and remembered how impressive the cliffs had looked in daylight. war-ships. bolts of lightning and dozens of man-figures with huge. Near the cliff-top. In the dim light. The beast seemed not to notice and
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. over all the other pictures. As Halfdan limped up this narrow path. Would he ever enjoy a Yule feast again? He pushed himself away from the half-broken tree. Then be bent to snatch up a fist-sized rock. which was drained by a rocky stream running downhill. was the largest of the painted pictures -depicting the yellow-flamed sun. Halfdan slipped on the trail-mud. His knee hurt worse with every frantic step. one that would be perfect for decorating at a Yule feast. fist-sized rock. brightly-coloured paintings of wild beasts. he picked up a broken birch-branch the length of his arm. He stopped on top of rock ledge and put his hands for support onto the rough trunk of a pine-tree. Again. and the bugs swarmed onto him and bit at his skin until his rubbed them off with a hand. he turned a twist in the trail and his bare foot slipped in some mud. grey-furred war-dogs burst out of the forest shadows after him. running as a pack through the forest. sharp bang! Behind and below him. Halfdan turned and saw two big. with a steep drop to his right. It bounced up to hit a skull-sized rock with a loud. The forest trail zig-zagged in the shape of a lightning-bolt. He had to rest. The loped up past the waterfall and onto the narrow cliff path and up after him. The trail went up a natural ramp along the side of the cliff. As Halfdan scrambled up the dark and slippery mountainside. Halfdan could barely see the hand-paintings that covered these cliffs. erect penises. A smell of vinegar rose from the broken-open mound. staring at the pebbles and little plants around his feet. But the dogs must still be after him. jagged-rock cliff-face. He followed it up and up. Now he did not hear the dogs barking anymore. His foot slid off the trail and into a knee-high ant-hill of dry pine-needles. their open mouths full of floppy red tongues and wet white fangs. Run! As he started going again. Halfdan threw the fist-sized rock at the first dog. It hit the dog's chest and bounced away. in a patch of moonlight and starlight. The mountain trail let up to a small waterfall pouring from a rock-crack overhead into a small pool. There was no point in running anymore. his foot painfully kicked a loose. There he rested. for religious rituals with all the folk of Eid. the dogs heard the noise and started barking again.

Only the top of his head could be seen from below as he peeked down and waited. the dog let go of his knee and lunged forward towards the soft brown skin of Halfdan's exposed throat. and crouched. In the dim light. down to the chunks of rocks below. and Halfdan landed on the soft dog. He found three bigger rocks. As he fell. "Look. placed them near the edge of the ledge. trying not to pass out completely. He picked up each of these. to where the trail started to get narrower and steeper. Halfdan punched his right fist into the side of the dog's thick neck. sight returned to his eyes. A man's deep voice nearby in the forest yelled. One of the four regular fighters pointed ahead and said. and he felt his mind drifting away. The tallest man walked in front. its open mouth drooling. It was dead. growling deep in its throat. a little ledge strewn with gravel and small rocks. or at least very bruised. the nasty-looking dog-bite on his knee was pouring out blood. He desperately needed to rest. His belly was still sore from the arrow hitting his belt-buckle. "This way! He's over here!" Halfdan scowled. As he fell." Halfdan groaned. Just before the teeth reached their target." Hiding above. The impact knocked almost all the air out of Halfdan's body. each the size of a man's skull. There was a flat area at the top. then ran back towards the cliff and staggered unsteadily back up the narrow path. Halfdan watched the group move closer.a rare kind of fighter with no fear. Four of them carried spears and shields. The dog landed on the hard rocks. His body was full of pain. Together. no mercy. trying to get a hard strike with the birch-branch on the dogs thick. "No. and notorious strength. barking. Halfdan stumbled back. Soon. The other dog leapt at him. squirming back. and he saw the dog's head resting right beside his own. Halfdan swung the heavy birch-branch at its open mouth full of spiky yellow teeth. He lay on the motionless dog. Halfdan slowly got to his feet. clamped its teeth tight. These men wore helmets and leather body-armour. shaking its strong neck to rip away a piece of Halfdan's flesh. his face had been scraped by a thorny raspberry branch. Halfdan swung the stick at it and missed. man and dog rolled off the trail and fell down the cliff. his shoeless feet were battered by trail-rocks. from falling off the cliff onto the dog. without a helmet or shield or body-armour. his legs and chest were torn by the dog's claws. Halfdan's unknown foes walked past the waterfall and the cliff covered with religious art. and his ribs were broken. The club knocked the dog sideways off the path. They strode in single-file past the sacred waterfall. while twisting frantically to one side. Halfdan pulled the snapping. He was hurt in many body-parts. It fell. five armed strangers walked fast out of the forest shadows and along the trail. He toppled backwards. towards something like sleep.
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. The war-dog tugged hard at his knee.jumped at Halfdan. The dogs. Halfdan could see that the men were all big and yellow-bearded. The dog bit onto Halfdan's sore knee. for a moment his eyes saw only swirling blackness. kicking beast to his body and twisted in the air so that the dog was below him. gasping for breath. He carried a long-handled and widebladed ax in both hands. Finally. He looked like a berserker -. He wore a black bear-fur over his shoulders.

raising another big stone overhead. with both hands. Apparently unhurt. The foes were right under him. then stand again. The thrown rock hit the helmetless head of the berserker in front.what kind of man are we after?" "Shut up. motionless except for one oddly-twitching leg. The four other fighters saw Halfdan quickly bend down. They were gone. After that." one regular fighter said. It missed. and they heard him grunt. shuffling down the cliff-side path and scrambling across the rockstrewn bottom. past the dim waterfall and fast into the shadowy line of trees. The berserker did not move. four of the men looking reluctant. He could not run anymore. After bouncing from the berserker's head. then flying towards the sacred waterfall and splashing into its pool of water.
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. pain stabbing all over his body -. "Really? How?" "He must have killed them."They're both dead. Halfdan stood up and. they started backing away. But the four fighters had seen enough. he would have nothing left to throw down at them but his exhausted and blood-smeared body. They all ran away. Do your job." "Killed two dogs after losing his sword? How? Tor's thundering balls -. the berserker looked up at Halfdan with a sneer of contempt. Another said. "Come on. the rock fell down to land near the dead dogs with a sharp click-sound. saw his shredded and blood-soaked clothes. Then his eyes rolled up in his head and the ax dropped from his suddenly-limp hands. he lifted one of the skull-sized rocks up over his head." They walked past the two dead dogs. The berserker collapsed. He could barely think or remember why he was there." the berserker said. He stepped a bit back from the edge of the cliff. flying over all of their helmets and bouncing with a loud bang! off a boulder below them. "A troll!" wailed one of the remaining foes. When they were half-way to the top. slowly sat down.until he passed out. They heard him move and looked up. He is near. Halfdan dropped the big rock to one side.his confused mind spinning and swirling. He sprawled awkwardly on the rock path. and started going single-file up the narrow cliff-side path. Halfdan bent to pick up his last rock. Halfdan grunted with the effort of throwing it down at the fighter standing farthest up the trail. saw him hurling a big piece of mountain-rock down at them. bare rock of the high ledge -. Cowering under their round shields. So he lay on his back on the hard. Four of them flinched when they saw Halfdan's darkskinned face.

Despite our educational efforts.6: ALCUIN WRITES TO TETTA * Translator's Note: Chapters marked with an asterix (*) are not part of the original Old Norse manuscript of Viking Saga. so greatly do I now suffer in your absence. and all of the other sisters in Christ on the Blessed island of Lindisfarne: Alcuin. which I received long ago. It was this disaster. wailing and howling and shrieking with pitiful cries. Greatly as I then was glad in your presence. sends you his heartfelt greetings in Christ. and Tetta's spiritual advisor). if we fail to re-convert them!
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. the very bowels of the earth. These extraneous chapters consist mainly of correspondence between Abbess Tetta (the head of England's Lindisfarne nunnery [destroyed by Vikings on June 8. not forgetfulness or change of feelings. 793]) and Bishop Alcuin (an English missionary in Germany. June 1. is dead. mourning their past deeds and present agonies. millions of fiery pits vomiting terrible flames and. What a loss of souls for the Church. I am ever-mindful of your most sweet friendship. the misguided pagans of Germany have recently pillaged and burned more than thirty churches. The pagan German petty-king Rothbod. and your obvious purity. God has recently also brought good fortune to our Holy Mission.shamelessly returned to their idols and druids and sacrifices. who once dared to hold myself as a captive when I tried to bring Holy Truth to his blighted province. when you and I and your brother worked side-by-side on Holy projects there. Despite the local unrest. This delay was owing to my great preoccupation with the restoration of the churches burned by the pagan Germans still infesting our parishes and cloisters. raving mad. in reply to your last learned letter. into his half-eaten meal. as described in Scripture.now that most of the King Charlemagne's soldiers have been sent elsewhere -. where Rothbod will witness in horror. and the military support of King Charlemagne. a most unworthy servant of God. which delayed my writing to you sooner. as the foul fires rise. Uncountable numbers of Germans who chose Baptism after the war have -. the Abbess Tetta. I always remember the wisdom of your mind. with which you most kindly received me long ago with all joy. and departed from life to the torments of hell. so that still in his sins. I am told that while this dissolute man-fiend sat feasting amidst his filthy and illiterate nobles. without repentance or confession. the gentle music of your endless prayers. I have never forgotten those summer days in York. he fell forward. the souls of wretched men clinging to the edges of the pits. the same evil spirit which had seduced him into defying the law of God suddenly struck him with madness. Year of Our Lord 792 To the wise virgin and best-loved lady. until they fall screaming into the pits. I beg my gracious lady not to be offended by my lateness in sending a personal letter to you. The German people are still extremely fickle and unfaithful. the Bishop and Legate of the Roman Church to Germany. there to regret their errors forever. gibbering with demons and cursing the Priests of God.

I have been commanded by His Holiness and Supreme Patriarch.to write to me soon. Sister Tetta. to an Englishman living where nobody cooks properly. in rich detail. called horse-eating "a filthy and abominable custom" and demanded I suppress it. His copy will greatly help my teaching-work here. cannot be procured in this book-poor country. I beg you -. yet I try to be the most devoted of them all. as of course I am zealous to do. Pray strenuously. a subject of longing and fantasy! Though I am but poorly equipped as a teacher. nor could you earn any greater reward. and our familiar traditions. that I have also been commanded by His Holiness to suppress the eating of wild and tame horses in Germany. I ask for Winbert's copy because I know that Winbert wrote each letter and each word clearly and separately. I have not been to that Blessed island since your election as Abbess -.stuffed with parsnips and pork-bits. in one of his frequent letters to his most humble and undeserving of lowly servants. so that the Lord. to the merciful defender of our lives. left to your library when he departed this life? A copy of The Universal History Against the Pagans. no greater comfort could be given me in my ancient age.nay. alas. Meanwhile. who is the Redeemer and Saviour of us all.and am curious as to what has changed at your convent. to suppress all human sacrifices in this dark land.your ancient promise to constantly pray for me. knowing full well that these slaves are to be drowned by the evil druids in a dirty swamp to praise false gods! I confess that I still do not understand many of the German customs. other live on milk and honey alone. and what remains as I remember. Support me by your prayers to God. I pray earnestly that you will remember -.an avid equestrian who. may rescue my soul from so many threatening dangers. Some Germans refrain from eating ordinary foods which God created for our meals. is more often seated on a saddle than a church pew -. there are Germans who claim to be Christians. such as I need. and also of the other English kingdoms. Such is the culinary depravity of the Germans. Any news is welcome. as you yourself well know. I am sore at heart with longing for my native land of England. our beloved Pope Hadrian. and help me by supplying me with the Sacred Writings. I command you -.when you became "a virgin mother of virgins" -. the crust nicely browned -. as it proves by example and by logic that the world before Christ's Coming was full of calamities and woe and tyranny.as I remember well -. abbreviated script. the only refuge of the
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. Be mindful of my devotion and take pity on an ancient man worn out by troubles in this barbaric land. because with my failing eyesight it is impossible for me to read small. and that the supremacy of the Church has brought wealth and peace and justice to those who truly love Him.also supports the ban on eating horse-meat. who took Baptism and attend Church services. After so many long years living among these rude and savage Germans. Sometimes I dream of English food! A pastry baked in the true English way -. who have renounced human sacrifice -. telling me of life at Lindisfarne. therefore. His Holiness.but who see nothing wrong with selling slaves to pagan druids. of revered memory.is. which Winbert. a place I miss almost as painfully as I miss you. Incredibly. King Charlemagne -. I am also curious to read news of our lovely but trouble-filled kingdom of Northumbria. I hear. especially regarding my home-town of York. my former Abbott and teacher. May I be so bold as to beg of you to send me the copy of The Universal History Against the Pagans by Orosius. Should God inspire you to do this for me.

Farewell in Christ. "from unreasonable and wicked men. that. Alcuin
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. My dear sister. that the Saviour of the world may see fit to rescue them from human sacrifices and the worship of vile idols. joining them to the daughters and sons of the only true Faith. Please.as I trust that you do now. And I pray also that you may be pleased to pray for those pagans put under my authority by the wisdom of His Holiness. the Father all-merciful may place a blazing torch of Truth in my hand to enlighten the hearts of the pagans to the glory of Christ. to shield my eyes from the temptations of this passing. unceasingly -.that I. to the praise and glory of Him whose will it is that all men shall be saved and shall come to the Truth. wicked world. implore God with clear and incessant prayers -. in the words of the Apostle. pray to the Lord God. who is the refuge of the weak and the hope of the wretched." who are so prevalent here. and as you have done since we last saw each other. and will continue to do.afflicted. lover of Christ and teacher of Most Holy Scripture. when my loins are girded as if for battle. the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. to keep me safe from harm with His sheltering right hand as I go among the dens of wolves. may be delivered.

windy top of the mountain was a patch of summer snow. as her shoulders shook with sobbing." "Who are you?" "Halfdan son of Gødrød. "Stop!" she shouted. From where Halfdan had climbed. an older. holding a bow. there was a good view of the fjord and the lands surrounding it.its two main streets going roughly north-south. saying. and he was getting tired of walking uphill. Now I have no job. "I mean you no harm. frowning woman stepped out from behind a rock outcrop. He started walking again." Halfdan knew of the involvement of the kings of Sogn and Førde because when Halfdan had woken up this morning. Because I ran away. Since waking this morning with a hangover and worse. Even from this distance. After Halfdan had dragged him to the
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. I was the only one to survive. "You said that Lambi is dead?" "Yes. As he was doing so. Paralyzed. he could see that King Lambi's hall had been completely burned to the ground.) The older woman said. She said. Halfdan looked away from that painful sight and looked west. Eid could be seen -. the berserker lying on the cliff-side path had been still alive. He was wearing the berserker's boots and carrying his heavy ax. at the brown-andwhite ridges of mountains marching in rough lines to the horizon. "I mean. of the town of Os." The old woman's arrow was still drawn to beside her suspicious-looking face. Near the cold. (He did this almost every time he met someone new." "Why are you so dark?" Halfdan briefly explained his parentage. dozens of grassy-roofed homes and other buildings. Halfdan dropped the ax to the rocky ground and put his hands in the air. Folk call me Halfdan the Black. "The kings of Sogn and Førde. all surrounded by the wood wall that Halfdan had scrambled over last night. Halfdan said. I used to be. Their men trapped King Lambi and all of my blood-brothers inside the hall and burned the hall down. "Who did it?" Halfdan said. There was a black-scorched. As he approached her. towards the Endless Ocean. the royal farm-fields. her back to him. but alive and able to talk. A stone's-throw away.7: A FATEFUL MEETING Halfdan turned to look at the view. His body ached from a dozen hurts. The blue-green water of the fjord snaked between the mountains. rectangle-shaped smudge where the famous hall had once stood. a young woman was sitting on a rock with her face in her hands. seven smaller streets going east-west. She pulled the arrow back to beside her ear and aimed it at Halfdan. he saw something from the side of his eye. I am one of King Lambi's fighters. he had walked up a mountain overlooking Eid. He scooped a few handfuls of the crunchy frost into his mouth to drink the melt. pointed at Halfdan's chest." After a pause.

Hearing violence from other houses. Siv and Yngvild had fled back up the mountain.
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.until late in the night. "Who are you?" The older woman was called Siv. still near the peak. Her grey-blue eyes matched her mothers'. half naked and grossly mutilated. sitting around a small fire. dead.waterfall and held his head under a few times. Dangling from her belt was a small knife and one of the small wood boxes in which women carried personal objects. Was that a flash of contempt in her eyes? Did she think he was a coward? Was he? After running away from the burning of his king." "I might. especially in the shade. Siv explained that she and Yngvild had been visiting friends in Eid for the past few days. Yngvild was tall. saying. the berserker from Sogn had spent his last moments of life answering Halfdan's questions. I mean you no harm. she lowered the arrow and relaxed the drawstring." Halfdan picked up the battle-ax. She wore a blue dress decorated with green glass beads. A grey head-cloth was over her long and braided yellow hair. He looked at the old woman with irritation and said. "Why did you run away?" asked the old woman. which showed she was married. She also carried a bow and some hunting-arrows. That was all they had for warmth. The two of them lived together on a farm in the town of Starheim. Their friends both lay on the floor. Yngvild was a few years younger than Halfdan and beautiful in looks.Siv was a healer. gathering magic plants -. "Either shoot me or put that thing down. under a light blue apron held in place by oval-shaped wax-polished wood brooches at her shoulders. Both were clever and proud and sometimes too sharp-tongued." But after a few moments of silence. Their serving-girl's body was tied to a bed. "Why did you run away?" Halfdan's face-muscles tightened. "I will trust you. and Yngvild training to become one -. She was dressed like her mother. Yesterday. and her daughter was called Yngvild. The air was chilly so high up. when they had returned to the home of their friends. Siv and Yngvild were sharing a blanket around their shoulders against the chill. I said. A rabbit-fur hood covered most of Siv's sparse grey hair. So shoot me. They were in a hidden cleft of rock on the other side of the mountain. and from her belt hung a bronze key. what was he? Was he anything? Nothing? The old woman said again. to find it full of horror and tragedy. Yngvild and Siv had spent the day up on the mountain-side. but with more attention to fashion." "How do I know?" "You don't. Yngvild was sobbing again while Siv finished telling Halfdan their story. both of them covered with gaping cuts and stab-holes. with a strong jaw and bold eyes.

by bribing a few folk in Fjordane who loved silver more than their king. in any way. kill civilian folk for fun. Siv said.but. As he was leaving. So I will not hurt either of you. When I was running away. That's all I know. the leader will reward his men by letting them go wild. "Sometimes." Yngvild said. I didn't even think about treating his hurts. Now I know it is wrong. when a raid goes well. as the sky was getting darker and the air getting colder as night fell. When King Lambi refused to join them. what kind of healers are we? He is hurt! In all the excitement.they wanted to use his ships for the raid. because King Lambi was not in the habit of talking about diplomacy with us regular fighters. At least. The men are allowed to steal whatever they find. When you did a good raid. the other kings worried that when they were off raiding this new land. "What is it?"
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. First Siv cleaned his hurts with a cloth wet with melted snow. smash things for fun. "I have bled enough.Yngvild said. to burn it with everybody trapped inside." Yngvild said. I enjoyed the stealing and drinking. There was a picture of a bee painted on the jar-lid." Halfdan said." Siv looked slightly relieved. going to a gate to let in the others. When I happened to be outside to piss." "We don't use that method." Siv said. Sogn and Førde would be left without much defence. And do what they want with females. So. "Why would the kings of Sogn and Førde have their fighters kill folk who weren't fighters and not involved in politics?" "I don't know. Maybe magic. "As long as you don't try to bleed me. drink until their minds are gone. it has not been for many years. Njal and Gunvald managed to get groups of their men to Eid. did King Lambi reward you that way?" "Sometimes. I don't know how. you used to be. she had been glancing nervously between Halfdan and Yngvild for some time. "You are a fighter. They stayed in a hidden camp outside the walls. "But why would they hurt innocent town-folk?" Halfdan said. No more." Halfdan said. "By Freya. a few times I did the things that I saw my bloodbrothers doing -. the traitor went to the hall. he saw me and shot an arrow at me and left me for dead." "I will do it. The goo tingled on his hurt flesh. But I did not do much of the other stuff. It was no secret that King Lambi lusted for a bigger kingdom. believe me. then she smeared on a smelly orange paste from the jar. When I was much younger. Yngvild looked from Halfdan to Siv and said. I had not heard about this. "What do you know? What did the berserker tell you before you drowned him?" "He told me that King Njal of Sogn and King Gunvald of Førde had tried to get King Lambi to join them in a raid on some new land to the west that is supposed to be very rich." Siv looked coldly at Halfdan and said. and King Lambi might be tempted to invade and take them over. and jammed the hall-doors shut. King Njal's and King Gunvald's men surrounded the hall. giving the dogs food to keep them quiet. while a traitor inside Eid did their dirty-work. both front and back. She opened the box on her belt and took out a small clay jar. King Njal and King Gunvald had another reason to want King Lambi out of the way -. but it makes sense. I vow by Freya.

"Magic herbs mixed with honey.Yngvild told him."
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.

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. I regard you. Relying on your friendship and experience. can only bark and complain. what are our bodily eyes but windows through which we observe sins and sinners. in his treatise On Fluids. and I beg you to support me with your comfort and advice. endowed with many spiritual gifts. advised frequent blood-letting from the neck artery to relieve eye-strain. surely. It is the usual custom for women who are in trouble and anxiety to seek the consolation and advice of those on whose wisdom and affection we can rely. a true scholar -. to grant the desire of your heart by sending you on such a vital mission to Germany. to convey my most secret of worries to you. Yet perhaps religion is sufficient consolation for any physical malady. Now. dearest Alcuin. an unworthy wretch.8: TETTA WRITES TO ALCUIN * July 28. our beloved Pope Hadrian. Year of Our Lord 792 To Alcuin of York. God has indeed rewarded your life-long teaching efforts! First. I will inform you. When I heard Your Reverence was well and prosperous. My labour here seems like that of a guard-dog that sees robbers breaking into and plundering his master's house. I fear writing to you. And so it is with me. most worthy Priest of God: Tetta. is due little pity from any Christian. yet treatment of this malady is not impossible. with so many pagan souls at stake. or. even a pagan one.your compilations On Grammar and On Rhetoric are both well-used here. It saddens me to think of any soul. so many souls starved for Truth. worse still. Who puts Truth in the mouths of the speechless. of the Glorious See in Rome. along with white hairs and lined skin. I confess I was glad in my heart. After all. Although loss of vision is a common companion to growing older. because he has none to help him in defence. Have you ever considered that you are losing your sight for a greater purpose? I say that Most Merciful God has permitted you to be afflicted in this way so that you may gaze with the "eyes of the spirit" on those things which God loves and commands. but cruel Rothbod. evangelist to the Germans. I come to lay before you all my difficulties and vexations of mind. I have no words to express my thanks for the abundant affection you have shown to me in the letter brought by your messenger from beyond the sea. you write that He has laid low before you Rothbod. observe and desire them and so fall ourselves into sin? Having read with joy that you are interested in our insignificant labours here at Lindisfarne. as best as I am able. sinking to the hell-horrors your letter vividly described. venerable servant of God. and as my only natural brother has gone to his Eternal Reward. As I am the only daughter of my parents. but. considering his many outrages against us. I must rely on the grace of Him. through this unpolished letter. while seeing less of the things God hates and forbids. as my brother in spirit. the Lord inclined His Holiness. a lowly house-maid for Christ. that once-proud enemy of the Church. for there is no man anywhere in whom I have such confidence as in you. sends her most affectionate greetings. the ancient physician Galen. I am concerned to read that your eyesight is worsening. and Who makes eloquent the babbling of children. my most-esteemed Alcuin.

by this tear-stained letter. Most of our problems arise from our obligations to the king. of course! Since you left England. following as closely as possible to The Rule of Benedict. I have struggled to be neither lenient nor harsh in my punishments. inevitably lead to more serious ones. and the beauty of our tapestries.and God is our only witness -. To the burden of responsibility for so many frail souls. gossip. I am sure. Yet despite all. This forehead nonsense has been strictly dealt with here. by the thought of the many frail souls entrusted to my authority as Abbess. one awful and glorious day.just so that she can display the skin of their forehead! Some Nuns last summer actually shaved their hair over their forehead. known to God alone. there is added the difficulty of our internal administration. not only by the thought of my own soul. It is sufficient to have two tunics and two cowls" -. what is still more difficult and important. but let them wear what can be bought most cheaply . the disputes over our lack of temporal goods. I have found it necessary to ban the following items: golden hairpins. and the size of our land-holdings on the mainland.. to Bishop Higbold. many-coloured vestments. but also temptations and doubts hidden in my heart. and the never-ending demands for money for the government -. I know how difficult is to rule justly and in full accordance with Christ's teachings.demands usually based upon the spiteful accusations of those who envy us. I try to remind my girls of the warning of Saint Paula of Bethlehem: "A
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. and when the force of the wind and the violence of the storm overturn and shatter and sink ships -. to you alone have I desired to impart -. then it seems that mine is against the vanity and frivolity of English Nuns! Every day. our poverty. gowns cut low in front. fur collars. Although every Nun knows that her veil should reach down to her eyebrows. many of the girls of the convent were also infected. From my own experience here. and to the barons and counts."Worry not about the colour or the texture of these things. Nuns adorning themselves as if they were brides. jewelled rings. with necessary modifications for our circumstances here. if unaddressed. The corrosive effect of clothing fashions is a constant problem. All Nuns know Benedict's Chapter LV -. but soon there will be some new folly. silver-buckled belts. the meagreness of the produce of our fields. celebration of a birthday. has obsessed almost all Northumbrian noblewomen. under what a load of misery and what a crushing burden of worldly distractions we are weighted down. etc -. renowned across all of Christendom for the abundance of your spiritual graces.Beloved brother in spirit.which. I shall be called to make account before the blazing throne of Christ. many Nuns will gradually let their veil rise little by little. this fetish of the forehead. just to make their foreheads look higher! Why? Fashion. to account not only for my many and obvious failings. I try to forgive them. If your holy struggle is against the spiritual fickleness and Faithlessness of Germans. and for whom. many-coloured ribbons. laced shoes. They see the gold and silver letters in our books. and our modern church of stone walls and lead roof. to the queen. if I do not pay attention.but few here can resist vain innovations in personal appearance. but.. as I call it. all these girls and women whom I serve now. day by day -. long trains. Since my election as Abbess. As when the whirlpools of the foaming sea send giant waves crashing onto shore-rocks.so the frail vessels of our souls are shaken by the mighty engines of our miseries and misfortunes. I am worried. dancing. my Alcuin. and proceed to wrongly assume that we are rich and tax us accordingly. I make effort to never ignore the smaller sins -immoderate laughter.

This tribute of my heart.which he sometimes actually paints! My latest controversy involving Bishop Higbold has nothing to do with fashion. I know well. for Bishop Higbold. before her call to the cloister -. we have only a few small amphorae left. With so many problems -. please forgive me for speaking critically of a Bishop. It is not easy to remain a virtuous woman in times like ours (as I sometimes remind the Lord in my frantic prayers). God knows. On account of all these miseries. or the Abbess Hilda. I am sad to report. and in whom she can have such confidence that she will lay open to him every secret of her heart. enough to last all this year. who will sympathize with me. also. has taken almost all of our supply -. He should set a proper example.which I have recounted at too great length -. I am compelled to seek a friend in whom I can confide better than I can confide in myself. a few affectionate gifts of spices: small measures of nutmeg. however. his shoes were trimmed with red-dyed leather. Long have I sought. Winbert's copy of The Universal History Against the Pagans. a red ruby on a short neck-chain -and how. under a sky-blue tunic. and cinnamon -. of my deep and heartfelt gratitude. I have ventured to send you these little gifts -. to spite a lustful kidnapper. to defend her virginity. upon whose counsel she can rely. and the long time that
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. and ending with sharpened finger-nails -. but I cannot hide my feelings. I have sent.my life is a weariness. We need to use olive oil for orthodox services. I have prayed so many times to the Immaculate Virgin for the patience and fortitude to accept such treatment without complaint or obstinacy.in particular. dill. is a very small gift in comparison to your love and guidance. and upon it being removed from her body by a surgical physician. prayed and hoped for. at the Court at Bambury.but so that you may have a reminder of my obscure insignificance.to assist (if only slightly) in your struggles with German meals. I remind them of Saint Uncumber. It is understandable that he takes such a position. who sacrificed her beauty by cutting off her own nose with a knife. of course -. and some of next. when fish oils were acceptable substitutes! The convent had a large supply of olive oil. it is a burden to live. and uplift me by his most wholesome discourse. many decades later. the curls in his hair on his forehead and by his temples came from a curling iron. Now. Everyone who is unequal to his own task.for his own use at Bambury Cathedral. using the past tense." Or. a tumour grew inside her throat. pepper. Brother Alcuin. who miraculously grew a beard on her wedding-day. along with this letter. fingers glittering with many rings. it was the exact size and shape and colour of that ruby! Bishop Higbold has criticised me for "excessive zeal" against modern fashion. when Abbess Hilda was old. It has to do with oil for church services. or Saint Agatha. who wildly loved expensive gems as a youth. sugar. given to you. and now I know that I have found in you the friend whom I have wished. as your failing eye-sight and successful scholarship require. console and sustain me by his virtue and eloquence.not as if they deserved even a glance from you -. to stop my being forgotten by you on account of our wide separation. such as I.we are not in the days of Saint Cuthbert anymore. must seek a faithful friend. who will consider my pain and sorrow and want.clean body and a clean dress mean an unclean soul. his neckline and sleeves were generously embroidered with silk. There is a scarcity of olive oil in England. Bishop Higbold was wearing a fine linen shirt. I wrote that we had a large supply. The last time I saw him. and it is almost impossible to find. Bishop Higbold likes to dress much too finely for a man of God.

to keep the departed sisters of Lindisfarne in your memory and in your powerful prayers. until to rise again on the Day of Judgment. soon. Tetta
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.all the humble sisters who over the decades have guarded the shrine of Saint Cuthbert -. and to send me a few of your own sweet words. as if merely asleep. and pain and lamenting shall flee before the shining faces of the Saints.has passed since we were together. envy shall fade away. and the spirits of the righteous shall be lifted on the arms of angels and shall forever reign with Christ where sorrow shall vanish. my friend.shall rest side-by-side under the dust of our grass-grown graveyard. and all the dead shall come forth from lonely tombs to render their accounts to Him. Farewell. The bodies of the Nuns who have died in this holy place -. when the Lord's trumpet shall sound. I beg you to overlook the many errors of grammar and rhetoric in this unlearned letter. May the bond of our true affection be knit ever more closely for all time. which I shall eagerly await. I also beg you. O Most-Faithful Priest.

The younger woman saw Halfdan and said. since I had run away. My blood-brothers were one-by-one bursting into flames. She is skilled at interpreting the meaning of dreams. there was the sound of hungry wolves howling for blood. "Tell it to my mother. The heads of King Lambi's foes on the shelves that were used for candle-holders came alive again. The sacred boar-pig by the king-table turned into a real boar-pig. directly over my heart. because the only reason I knew what was going on was because I had ran away. but the roaring of the fire was so loud that he did not hear me. When the boar-pig knocked a hole through a wall to escape. Yngvild piling twigs for a camp-fire. how could I now be back inside the burning hall?" Siv and Yngvild were listening closely. Outside. then jumped back onto my hand and re-attached itself. with the tables and chairs now covered in flames. I wondered if I really had ran away.9: GOADING When Halfdan awoke near the chilly mountain-top. I tried to talk to King Lambi. we heard it squeal as wolves outside tore it apart. as flames shot up from the holes in their skulls. making piles of ashes that were picked up in the roaring wind and blown around with the swirling smoke. the two women from Starheim were already awake. The Queens and some female servants were
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. running around the hall with fire all over their bodies. when I pulled it out. The flames could not burn me. cutting off my smallest finger. "and the walls and the ceiling were covered with fire. "It was impossible for me to really be in the hall. Siv chopping up some freshly-gathered plants with her belt-knife." Yngvild said. and again I was not harmed. which wriggled on the floor for a moment. "I had a very strange dream. My friends and blood-brothers were running around and trying to find a way out and screaming in anger at the gods for letting this happen. There was no scar. but I was not harmed. "Something about King Lambi. grinning with eager eyes and snapping their dry jaws at us. Evil magic was at work. With my sword again." Yngvild said." Halfdan said. but there was no blood and no pain." "What did I say?" "I couldn't understand most of the words. laughing and hooting at us. The jaws of the shelf-heads could not bite into my flesh. there was no hurt. but I was safe. Everyone there was doomed. Swirling sheets of flames covered almost everything. Halfdan continued. I stabbed a spear into my left hand. Somehow I used my spear to stab my own back. because if I had. Some magic was keeping me safe. to explain that all this was caused by the treachery of King Njal and King Gunvald. "You were talking in your sleep. Then I was glad that he hadn't heard what I said. It stabbed in. until their charred legs broke and they crumbled to the floor. I stabbed myself deeply in the chest. The fires inside got hotter. because I had run away and wasn't really there. We were trapped. I took out my sword and stabbed it into my own belly." So Halfdan described to them what he could remember of the dream -.how it had placed him and his now-dead king and his now-dead blood-brothers back together in the hall. "But not anybody else. and I didn't want him to know that.

until I came to a waterfall. somehow left untouched by the fire. and I fought them with my own teeth -. So I got up and walked over there --" He pointed down-hill at a spot where there were some clumps of mountain-grass. he would burst into flame and be gone forever. and it seemed that it was my hall now. and I dreamed that I woke up here. But my skin did not burn and soon I was outside. very quickly. So I walked to the burning wall where the escaping boarpig had knocked a hole. It was so cold and good that I couldn't stop myself from drinking it all. The heat was terrible and all I could see was orange swirls. But the oak-leaves were all made of silver foil -. A platter of horse-meat sausages appeared on the table and I ate them too. 'Beer is the answer!' So I picked him up -." Halfdan said.and carried him across the room to a big barrel of beer. For a while. beautiful -. but soon I was lost. and lifted it up to my lips like a huge cup and drank. and I had to piss. I laid down on the mossy ground to rest. and when I was finished. an oak-tree grew there. I thought of picking him up and carrying him through the burning walls. "I dreamed that I was here. which had not burned. "I wanted to save King Lambi. I knew. it was empty. tossing their limp bodies to the side -.' He sank under the surface with a frown on his tiny. Smoke was rising from his red silk gown and from his hair and beard. but nobody would know.burning. 'I'll be safe here for a while. I dreamed that my bladder was full from drinking the barrel of beer in the burning hall. a pile of grey stones. It was peaceful there. I was breaking a rule. King Lambi had shrunk to the size of a new-born baby when I lifted the lid of the full barrel and dropped him into the beer. hearing the sound of water splashing into a little pool. More and more of King Lambi's food appeared on the table. making them water. I ate a bowl of fried onions that was on the unburned table in front of me. When I put the barrel down. "I followed this surviving wolf into the woods.biting their heads and backs. not him. I walked around the hall. right on the spot where I am now. "You dreamed that you woke up?" "Yes. I was the only one left in the hall. They leaped at me. "I saw dozens of grey-furred wolves outside. "By this time. In a few moments. their long and beautiful hair turned into torches.and killed them all except one. everyone else had burned away and their ashes were blowing into my eyes. And that was the end of my dream. and sat on it. like sunlight on rippled water.
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." There was silence for a while. who ran away into the forest-shadows. their silver necklaces and bracelets melting on blistered skin. "So I went to the barrel of beer I had dropped King Lambi into. The trunk and the branches of the tree were red with steaming blood and dripping with clots of flesh and brains. But I knew that the magic would only protect me from the flames. shiny. "I dreamed that I pissed there. and shrinking -. I had drank down King Lambi and he was inside me. their jaws gaping wide with yellow fangs. The last thing he said before sinking down was. Except for King Lambi in the beer-barrel. waiting for me. There was no cup on the table. baby-like face.he was now the size of a child.and in the wind the silver leaves all moved together and glittered. I went to King Lambi's king-chair. I dreamed that I fell asleep. and I ate them all until I felt thirsty. Then King Lambi ran in front of me and said. I wandered in the forest for a long time.delicate. cooked for King Lambi." Siv said. I've never had that kind of dream before.

you let him possess you." Yngvild said. upset. "Where will you go now?" Halfdan shrugged." Halfdan said. which you will defeat." he said. "King Lambi and my friends are gone. Halfdan shrugged. in the burning hall. You will be their tool. But the overall picture of Halfdan's future is very dark. Yngvild asked Halfdan." "Okay. By drinking him. but only a child or a fool thinks that life goes on after death. Wolves mean the approach of danger. You mourn King Lambi. was of your past. not that. "And the oak?" Siv said." Yngvild said."
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. "Dreams speak both of the past and the future. I think that the first part of your dream." Yngvild. you will then be especially close to what remains of him. "Drinking from the beer-barrel means that King Lambi will live on inside you. That I believe in. and die unhappy. The blood covering the trunk and the branches show that your life will be full of violence and loss and crime." "You don't have to be religious to believe in life after death. Fame is the only real immortality. put a hand over her mouth and watched Halfdan closely. "'What remains of him'? Nothing remains of him but ashes." "As dark as his face?" Yngvild said. "And the silver leaves? Don't they foretell wealth and success?" Siv said. That stuff may be beautiful and poetic. or maybe for everybody in the kingdom. they believe in you. about feasting in the sky with the gods." "It takes little skill to figure that out. Nothing I do will bring them back. "That is obvious. to return later. The waterfall is a symbol of the gods. "I would like to go nowhere." Siv said. Yngvild said. Part of what he was is now part of you. When you drink in the future." Halfdan said. Just lie down and wait for worms to drag me underground. "But for who? There may be wealth and success for him. "People live on in the memories of others. mixed with the ashes of my friends."So what did it mean?" Halfdan said. The symbolism is vague. Siv continued. "What about justice?" Halfdan sneered and said. then went back to chopping plants for their breakfast. Odin speaks through that magic wood. and you feel guilty for running away. Don't try to sell me that Valhalla nonsense. and he wants you to know your fate. Yngvild said. or maybe for his children. After they ate. "No. I agree with that. "I don't care. and your future is not only your own. do many bad things. But one foe will escape." Halfdan was sceptical but said nothing." "So you will make peace with the killers?" Yngvild said. "the second part of the dream is about the future. Siv said. "What about the rest of the dream?" "Like I said. though you may not believe in the gods. Siv made a half-smile at her daughter's joke. for purposes beyond our understanding. It seems that. You will suffer much." Siv said.

He said. and that you chose exile over justice. If your uncle and aunt and cousins call you a coward." "Then think of me as your son. That's all I deserve." Yngvild continued. played in front of their fire. where there will be less around to remind me. "I can't. try to find out where he went." "Or I can leave. And what about Wenche? She was just a serving-girl. You may have known Maris and Jann longer than I." Siv said." "'Man's business'?" Yngvild said. Go into exile. pulling Yngvild by an arm away from the furious Halfdan. "People may call you a coward for that. "But can a coward be a man?" Siv snapped." Siv said. That is what Maris and Jann would have wanted us to do." "Forget about what happened in Eid." Yngvild said. "What are you doing? That man -. "Enough! Yngvild. and Siv said. "Are you calling me a coward?" he shouted." "They will hear of the hall-burning." Halfdan's oak-brown eyes flashed with fury. "What do you know about it? This is man's business. Halfdan is right -. So I might as well live out my wretched life in some outlandish place." Siv said. "you will have no choice but peace with King Njal and King Gunvald. I'll cut off their heads. Mourn them. "Do you have a family?" "Two aunts and two uncle and some cousins. stole sweets from their kitchen cupboard. bitch! Nobody calls me a coward!" "Yet. For I want it.is a dangerous fighter. I could follow him east. "We are going to talk." Yngvild said. Maybe he is still alive somewhere. too far for Halfdan to hear them. Siv quickly stood up and grabbed her daughter's arm. "I knew them longer than you did. I'm not. if not some kind of black troll. no. but we were close. I just can't walk away from all those memories without a protest." Yngvild sneered." "But you predicted that my life is going to be wretched no matter what I do."If you don't go for justice. Haven't seen any of them since last year. He can help. you go too far!" Halfdan looked ready to jump to his feet and swing his ax at Siv's taunting daughter. then move on.that man with an ax -. But other people might. pulling her away. and I will just go back to Starheim to get on with my life. but I knew them since my earliest childhood.revenge is man's business.
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." Siv said. They will hear that your king was murdered. will you come back from exile to cut off their heads too?" Halfdan glared at her. "Hold your snake-tongue. she was really the only one who understood how I felt. sarcastically." Halfdan gripped the ax and said. "Because I want justice. "No. and that you ran away from it. for our butchered and raped friends. after my husband left. They went a few steps away. "If they do. My father was exiled when I was small. "The life of an exile is wretched. They will rule Fjordane and all will have to accept their rule. and you are goading him without any mercy! Why? Don't you know that a maddened dog will bite even a friendly hand? Why provoke him?" Yngvild said.

Men should be killed face-to-face. and can throw a spear well. "All you need to do is get close enough to them to throw a spear or shoot an arrow. Wenche was like a sister to me." "The killing part may be. like for wild beasts? Dig a hole in the ground where the kings are going to walk. and those who loved them do nothing?" Siv said. I'm a good archer. Halfdan said to Yngvild. "She is just moody. "I said." Yngvild said. because kings always walk around in the middle of a crowd. What making about a kind of trap. "You were right. I have decided to get revenge on King Njal and King Gunvald. still scowling." Yngvild said. And how would I know where these kings planned to go for a stroll? That plan would take too much luck to succeed. By the time anybody figures out what happened." Halfdan shook his head. And it wouldn't work. "Good for you. Fighters will be looking for you all over the kingdom. "That's also a kind of sneak-murder. and I can not just walk away from her fate." When they walked back to Halfdan. And besides. and the kings might have offered a reward for anyone who catches you and brings you to them. "This will not bring Gunnar back." "Then stay out of it. hide the hole. and they must have told the kings that you escaped and what you look like. A few bodyguards in front might fall in. Help me get close enough to them and I'll do it. "That's not what I meant. "This anger did not begin two nights ago. saying. so they know who killed them. You have been bitter for a long time. and can even hit a running squirrel with an arrow." "I do not want my treacherous husband back. Siv said. But I don't like your plan. revenge is man's business. let me help you. kings have so many bodyguards that I would never get close enough. would you feel this way?" Yngvild was silent. "I want justice. I'm good with an arrow. Your looks are easy to
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." Siv stood. If you had a husband to go home to. What is wrong with your mother?" Yngvild moved to sit on a rock closer to Halfdan and said." "Call it revenge. mother. I am not a coward and will give nobody a reason to say that. Siv scowled. It is shameful to do a sneakmurder. Kill them both and preserve my reputation. he said to Yngvild. A group is stronger than just one man. and walked away." Yngvild said. How many of Njal and Gunvald's men abused Wenche before the mercy of a cut neck? Do we live in a community where brutal crimes can happen to folk. but what about helping you? You were seen by some of the foes. I'm a good shot with a bow too." "I can't do that. and let me do what I want. And it is a dangerous game. put spikes on the bottom." "And I said." Yngvild said. "How will you kill them?" "I don't know.because she had been abandoned too. you will be gone. that's all." and smiled at him for the first time." "If you aren't skilled with those weapons." "Then what are you going to do?" "Go home to Os and get some men to join me.

" Before answering.recognize. "And how will you get across the fjord? Swim with that ax?" "I can steal a boat. "But this was my lord's first gift to me. Wouldn't you like me to come with you -. How are you going to get from here all the way to Os without somebody seeing you?" "I'll stay in the woods. But you do." Halfdan said. collecting information that can help you." "What will you eat?" "Animals. To revenge your murdered lord." "Do you have silver for a boat?" "No. but he was too afraid. Yngvild said. Yngvild moved her legs slightly apart. "Why do you want me to do this? Because of your murdered friends?" "Yes. I told him to fight a duel against the man he owed the silver to. I am. Nobody will be looking for me. Halfdan glanced down at the key on her belt and said. And I can rent or buy a boat to get across the fjord. and my bow and arrows to help you get out of trouble?" "But you are a woman." "Why?" "Because the unlucky fool gambled more silver on horse-fighting than he could afford to pay.
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. Yngvild said. Halfdan whined. He just left and I hope the trolls get him. Anyway." She pointed at his silver belt-buckle. then asked." After a pause. I can buy food and ask questions. She saw him look at the shirt-cloth tightening over her big breasts. He left me." "Easier said than done." As if making herself more comfortable. wild plants." There was a silence." "Yes you can! Because it wasn't a gift. Anyone you meet could be an informer. listen to this. so he could cancel the debt with spear and sword. "Yes. "Where is your husband?" "I don't know. showing Halfdan her leg up to her knee." Halfdan said. "She also wants to keep your body out of mine." Yngvild thought for a while. If you let me join you. I can go into the towns we pass. Now it is time to pay it back. and an extra pair of eyes to look out for danger. It was a loan. We can chop a piece off that. That pulled the cloth of her dress up. "So can I travel with you to Os?" "If you want. Yngvild yawned and stretched both her arms back." "And is that why Siv is so upset?" "My mother wants to keep me out of danger. causing her chest to bulge at Halfdan. I can't spend it." "You didn't want to go with him?" "He didn't ask me. He stared.for some company in the woods.

but died soon. and she had a tongue like yours -. and has friends in many different towns. then I dragged him home to his wife. I feel what is going to happen." "You don't know the exact number?" "Sometimes you can't tell if you killed someone or just hurt them. and the rest after. Her gentle grooming made Halfdan feel better." "How many other men have you killed?" "Over twenty. seeing that she ruled him." Yngvild said. saying. and sometimes Halfdan's ax hacked a path through thick and unmarked woods." Nothing worth describing happened until they walked down from the mountains and reached a town called Loen. and one blood-fat tick. I took the stick away from him and beat him with it." and refused to answer any more of her questions for a while. until he seemed dead. "As a healer. Every day. "Don't join your fate to his. so nobody could charge me with sneak-murder. Most men like to brag of their killings. She walked alone into the woods. She said." Halfdan said. "I don't think about any of them much. like. He closed his eyes as she worked on him. He wasn't dead after all. "Don't go with that man.nor did his wife like it." "I know. Knut's sheep used to cross over the stream that divided the properties. News of the events in Eid had not yet reached the folk of Loen. who hired me to watch over his sheep in their grazing-land. carrying a bag of food and blankets and other supplies. to where Halfdan was waiting for her in hiding.so one day he found me and tried to beat me with his walking-stick. Yngvild told him to rest his head on her lap so that she could pick lice out of his hair and beard. I stopped that by throwing pebbles at Knut's sheep whenever they tried to cross. At the next break. Yngvild would ask him questions. There were lots of them. Knut. but maybe Halfdan was different. "I'll tell my mother.Yngvild smiled again. Siv had friends there who would let Siv stay with them as long as she wanted. Knut the Loud was my master's neighbour. I will never see you again!" But Yngvild was stubborn. and they would eat the grass on my master's side. and fleas that hopped from her busy fingers." Halfdan said. We will find someplace safe to leave her. "Why did you kill him?" "It was before I joined King Lambi." "What killing do you remember the most?" Halfdan was silent for a while. I was fourteen or fifteen years old. To pass the time. she used to travel around a lot. Halfdan and Yngvild walked along forest trails. "Siv is not coming with us too." Siv told Yngvild in private. I was working for a shepherd in Os. and he even smiled when she was done. Then he said. She saw that he was in a sour mood. Less than thirty. One before I joined the hall. and soon they gave up and stayed on Knut's side. My master only had to pay a little bit of silver to the widow. north towards the fjord. because the killing had been provoked. "Thank you. I told her what had happened." "Now I'll do it to you." "You're welcome. "Who was the first man you killed?" "His name was Knut the Loud."
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. If you go. Halfdan did not talk much. We should leave soon. on King Lambi's orders. Knut did not like this -. We have been sitting and talking up here long enough.

"But I'd like to try that magic potion. she said. I think we should talk about sleeping arrangements. holding him close. having another body close makes it a lot easier to sleep. "You seduced me.But he couldn't find any lice or fleas in her long yellow hair.Yngvild whispered to Halfdan. like cats in heat. every bath-day. I know you're married. A fighter in a famous hall. Yngvild said." "Yes. "Probably the warmest thing for you would be if I lay on top of you. The proper way to handle the sleeping arrangements is for you to sleep over there --" she pointed at some shadowy bushes to her right "-. on a flat pile of soft sprucebranches. I'm no plaything. I am. Very nervous." Also breathing faster than before. We need to stay healthy." "If I find the right plants. "I comb my hair every morning and. and when the campfire goes down. "Fine." "Do you want me to feed the fire another log?" "I think we should sleep closer together. I soak it in a potion made from magic plants. "Why do we need to talk about that?" he said. gesturing at his puffed-out mass of black curls." "It would be foolish to let ourselves get sick. Being abandoned doesn't change that. Yngvild whispered. "Good idea." "As long as it's innocent and only for warmth. his heart pounding." "I didn't think anything like that. "I've seen how you look at me. Yngvild said. Lifting her head from his lap and standing up. far from the fire. "Now that it's only the two of us." "Why?" "Thinking. at other forest-shadows. "Are you still awake?" "Yes. "it is cold at night. and under thick wool blankets made in Loen -. And I'm cold. And good sleep keeps folk healthy." Halfdan said." They stopped talking.while I sleep over there." "Me too. after they ate and were sitting by a small fire. he said. "But. Sharing our blankets. but not touching. You don't want us to get sick in the middle of this adventure. Nothing more. I hate having those little beasts on me all the time. Just for warmth.
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. do you?" "No." She pointed left. You probably can't even remember the number of girls who have fallen for you." That night." "I usually can't get a comb through my tangles. but nothing else." He moved closer to her. nervous." Halfdan looked at her. So I think we should sleep lying close together. "How do you stay so clean?" he asked. Can I trust you not to touch me?" Late that night -." Yngvild said." "Then we would be touching.as they lay close but not touching. I'll make you some. Probably don't think about any of them much. But that's not my fate." Halfdan said." Yngvild said afterwards. working for a rich and generous king -.you're probably used to girls shamelessly throwing themselves at you.

she convinced a fisherman to sell her an old boat he did not use anymore."I did. stealing all the silver they could find. he pulled in the oars and leaned over the side. throwing up oatmeal and bits of pig-meat sausage into the moon-reflecting water. at first. and the rest were taken under guard to Eid. "Bad man." Halfdan said. "Are they looking for a fighter with dark looks." Halfdan said. The wave-rocking of the boat. Their journey to Os took five days. That doesn't sound like a good job for you. you must have sailed and rowed all over. He was a great man. folk were suspicious of her.
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. sounding proud. My mother was right about you. and the world will never see another like him. "Sea-sickness was a small price to work for King Lambi." "You are. They crossed the fjord at night. usually. Yngvild would leave the forest to get food and information. "They call it tax-collecting. They were also collecting men -. killing anyone who resisted. who ran away from the burning?" One of the beggar-women had heard about that -. twice. The beggarwomen did not know." a beggarwoman said. "Usually.they had a list of names of nobles who had been close to King Lambi." Now they could sleep. Fighters from Sogn and Førde had rampaged through the towns." "I'm not crying. With a chopped-off piece of Halfdan's silver belt-buckle. Yngvild learned that the new rulers of Fjordane had sent armed riders to many of the towns." He started rowing again. The wind and the waves were strong as Halfdan rowed. and claimed to be travelling alone. made Halfdan sick.and that a reward of much silver had been offered for help catching or killing Halfdan. and would not rent a boat to her. Yngvild walked into a shore-town and tried to rent a boat to cross the fjord. I get used to it after a while. Now and then. "Do you always get sea-sick on the water?" Yngvild asked. It's not shameful to mourn losing your king and so many friends. Yngvild asked if the "tax-collectors" had reached Loen yet. with the boat's strong smell of fish. As she was a stranger." "But as a ship-raider." "Are you crying?" "No. From some beggar-women washing clothes at a stream. Many of these folk were killed.

I assure you. but
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. sugar from a friend is sweeter still. He has apparently changed greatly in the years since I last visited Northumbria. Rest assured that I shall discreetly write to Rome of this. I remember how Blessed am I to have you as a dear friend. and the eternal occupation of Heaven! Temporal things pass away. Brave Tetta." Lowly as I am. wishes you eternal welfare in Christ. as some call them -. I have tried to avoid the sin of ostentatious fashion. the thought of you pains me day and night. As my soul thanks you for the book. the Lord Jesus has such women to praise his holy name and preach the Truth and seek after wisdom as you. or sea-foam.10: ALCUIN WRITES TO TETTA * September 11. When I was in Northumbria. As Benedict wrote: "Nuns who are respectful and remorseful. For no man can shine light on these gloomy swamps of the German people and take heed of the traps that line his path unless he has the Word of God as a lamp to guide his feet and a light to shine on his way. Modern fashions. It saddens and dismays me to hear that Bishop Higbold has chosen to dress like his luxurious brothers and uncles. in my loneliness. I urge you to continue to strive with all your might against foolish distractions and superstitions in dress. servant of the servants of God. or smoke. you who gently leads a militia of marching virgins across the battlefield of souls. the Abbess Tetta. Through his craftiness he introduces into Monasteries and Nunneries his servants of Fashion and Vanity. in this rude and savage land. Tetta. my dearest friend. so my tongue and stomach thank you for the generous donation of spices! Although hunger can make bitter things sweet. Men who wallow in luxury know not that they are spinning fragile webs that catch only dust: "They gather treasure and know not for whom they gather it. praiseworthy for your long observance of the monastic life: Alcuin. Treasures will melt like shadows. these are hateful to God. I blush to confess. the nearness of your love would give me great joy. the ruin of souls! So I applaud and commend you on your firmness in discipline regarding your flock. in these final days of a wicked world. but the never-changing will soon be here. But now that I am so far from you. May the Eternal Rewarder of good works give joy on high among the choirs of angels to my dearest sister.but which I call modern foulness -.are sent by the Antichrist to herald his coming. often here. then Lust and Fornication (both natural and otherwise): Tetta. your struggle is truly against the fever of Lucifer. I imagine your mild-hearted militia of girls and women singing sweet hymns of spiritual combat. despite fearful temptations on every side. Year of Our Lord 792 To my beloved sister worthy of all honour. rather than as commanded in Scripture by Our Father. soon followed by Laziness and Disobedience. of Christ's victory. and to dress in accordance with Benedict's Rules. that with each spoonful of my meals flavoured with your gifts. Yet how weak and selfish it is for me to dwell on my insignificant loneliness! It would be more fitting to rejoice greatly that now. all of you armed with invincible weapons of piety and learning. the blackest of sins. without identifying my informant. let them be corrected at the first and second offence only with words. who has brought light and consolation to an exile in Germany by sending him gifts of spiritual writing.

and may be ashamed to know that their disgusting swamp-rituals have not escaped our notice. but my direct supply from Rome is secure. almost a year ago." As you struggle against the gentle impulses in your so-good soul. I announced to the crowd gathered around the fallen tree: "Either Thor does not exist or he is too weak to fight against the power of Christ. we ask: What were the pagan gods doing before that time? If the pagan insists that the universe had no beginning. we are told to ask whether the universe itself had a beginning. I have sent you five amphorae of good virgin olive oil. on the proper way to use logical arguments to convert German tribes and individuals. His Holiness instructs. I wish to show my gratitude for your gifts and your friendship by supporting your important work at lovely Lindisfarne. We are told not to argue about the family histories of the Germans' false gods.let the Abbess chastise Nuns who are wicked and disobedient at the very first offence with whips and other bodily punishments. and protects my Priests bearing Holy Writ from one town to another. brings the submissive tribes to Baptisms. and the risk this poses to liturgical practice. so that they might realize the absurdity of their primitive beliefs. in the Hesse region. not in an offensive and irritating way. Perhaps the strongest argument against the ancestral superstitions of the Germans was made by myself. struggle to deal firmly with the Germans. but calmly and with great moderation. Olive oil is scarce also in Germany. meek Tetta. we are able to prove by logic that each of their gods had a beginning. It should arrive at
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. which chastises any still-defiant German tribes. if he existed. and many others that it would be tedious to mention. are put to the leaders and common people of the pagans. and called out for Thor to strike me with one of his famous thunder-bolts. My "rod" is the Frankish army of King Charlemagne. The local pagans who were watching from behind the line of Frankish soldiers looked up at the sky in anticipation of my doom. or was always in existence.so do I. which the pagans claimed was personally guarded by Thor! I ordered that old oak to be chopped down. You mentioned the shortage of olive oil in England. After forcing the pagan to concede that point. after the intercourse of male gods with female gods. When nothing happened. knowing it is written in Scripture: 'Fools are not corrected with words' and 'Hit your son with a rod. We are told to pretend to accept the statement that German pagan gods were given birth by other gods. Then. to discipline your feminine flock -. There was a so-called "holy tree" growing there. their superstitions are compared with our Christian dogmas and touched upon indirectly. From time to time. while leaving the pagans only the frozen lands of the north? Why is the Christian world dominant.to give them transitory suffering for the sake of eternal salvation -. What a challenge it is to force Truth into these ignorant minds! I have been given precise and detailed instructions from His Holiness himself." A huge step towards converting this tribe! Before I end this too-verbose letter. while those clinging to primitive beliefs are a dwindling minority? These questions. we ask: When was the first pagan god born? Who were its parents? How did pagan gods gain control of a universe that existed before them? Why do pagan gods care about human sacrifices if they already possess and control everything? Why do pagan gods allow Christian men to rule the warm European lands rich in food and wine. If the pagan says that the universe had a beginning. to deliver his soul from death'. Separately from this letter. since they were created by some other god. Alcuin the scholar.

Lindisfarne a few weeks after this letter. Do not be surprised when you find your gift accompanied by four caged hunting-falcons. They are not for you, of course, but for the King; he asked me for German falcons many months ago. When the hunting-birds arrive at Lindisfarne, please send word to the mainland and the King will send someone to your island to collect them. Farewell, and may you continue to live a life of angelic purity, until you reign forever in Heaven. Alcuin

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11: THE NEXT MOVE Halfdan lay on his belly on a dark farm-field, on barley-stubble left from the harvest, not moving at all. His breathing was slow. The ax was in one hand. After a long wait, Halfdan slowly lifted his arm and moved it slightly forward. Slowly, he laid it down. He did not move again until after taking many slow, steady breaths. Then he slowly moved his other arm forward. Slowly lifted a leg forward. A long pause, then he shifted his other leg forward. He lay still for a long time. A silent bird fluttered past in the dim space over Uncle Harald's farmland. Halfdan raised his head and torso; slowly moved forward, a bit. He lowered himself again to the ground and was still for a long, long time. He was heading up-wind, so his uncle's dogs would not catch his smell and start barking. Yngvild was behind him, in the dark woods where they had spent most of the afternoon watching the farm. It was possible that King Lambi's killers knew where Halfdan's family lived; it was possible that their fighters were waiting for Halfdan to show up here, to kill or arrest him. But he and Yngvild had seen nothing to raise suspicion. Staying concealed, they had searched all of the woods that circled the small property where he had grown up. They had watched Uncle Harald limping out of the well-made oak-plank house, and had watched him set up an iron-forge behind the chicken-shed and wait for the charcoal fire to get blue-hot. There was a loud clanging sound as his hammer pounded a red-hot piece of iron. Halfdan's Aunt Anna -- the sister of his father -- had brought out a plate of food and a cup of beer, and her husband took a break. Even from a distance, both of them had looked older than he remembered. He had not been home in a long time, as earlier mentioned. Halfdan and Yngvild had watched Aunt Anna drag a heavy basket out the front door and hang rugs and drapes and wallcoverings over a pole, then use a paddle to knock out dust. When it had started getting dark, both went inside; soon a line of smoke twisted up from the hole in the grasscovered roof. Halfdan had waited for full darkness, then started a slow crawl towards the house. King Lambi had taught him this and many other military skills. Halfdan could hear King Lambi's voice in his ears, "The way to be invisible is to move very slowly. Motion is what attracts eyes. You can avoid being noticed, even on open ground, by moving slow enough. Your body might be visible, but it won't be noticed -- until you put your iron into the foe's guts." Halfdan was looking ahead very closely, hearing King Lambi's ghostly voice in his ears say, "Divide all that you can see into sections, and look at each section in turn, paying attention to every detail. Look at each one of the sections of your view as closely as you can, and made sure you check all of them, even if it seems impossible for a foe to be hiding there. And don't look just to the front -- when you get the chance, look backwards to see any foe sneaking from behind." Not wanting to make motion by turning his head, Halfdan could not look behind him during his crawl across the field of barley-stubble. He only looked forward, at the familiar farmhouse and its surroundings. Yngvild was guarding his back. Her task was to watch from her forest hiding-place and, if he was attacked, to use her arrows to protect him.

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It took Halfdan half the night to make it across the dark field to the farmhouse. He crouched by the door, which was decorated with a sheep's body hanging by its cut neck from a bronze hook -- a sacrifice to Freya. (His relatives were devout, but had failed to spread their love of the gods to him.) Halfdan put his ear to the thick wood of the door and listened. Nothing at first. Then, the faint sound of Harald snoring. There seemed no other noise. It was unlikely that foes had spent all of the afternoon in the house while his aunt and uncle were going about their business outside, but possible. He strained his ears to catch the sounds of armed, awake men waiting for him: iron clinking, boots scraping on the dirt floor, whispering, burping, farting, sighs of boredom. But there was nothing but Harald's faint, recognizable snore. Still crouching, so his full height would not be visible at the door, Halfdan raised his ax and tapped the square-end of its heavy blade onto the door. The snoring inside stopped. After a while, there was a rustling sound on the other side of the door, and Halfdan heard his uncle say, "Is somebody out there?" Hearing that gruff voice, Halfdan smiled. In a voice barely loud enough to be heard through the door, he said: No life here but a lazy owl Who's hungry but won't hunt Good man, I beg a meal Open your house, toss me a mouse! Aunt Anna's voice cried out inside, "It's Halfdan!" The sound of the door-latch raising, and the door opened to show the sleepylooking faces of his aunt and uncle. His aunt looked delighted to see him, squealing, "Come in!" But Harald looked nervous, glancing over Halfdan's shoulder. Harald grabbed his nephew's sleeve and pulled him inside. As Anna hugged him, Harald slid the wooden latch on the door shut. Uncle Harald said, "Too many syllables in the last line." Aunt Anna said, "Oh, Harald, do you expect a hungry owl to follow all the rules of poetry?" Halfdan felt the strength in his uncle's grip as they shook hands. "I'm glad to see you alive," Uncle Harald said. He was a thick-bodied man, with a wide, grey-bearded face and watery blue eyes. People said that he was one of the best farmers in Os; he not only fed his family, but had earned and saved enough silver over the years to buy a farm for both of his two sons, and to pay a good dowry on his daughter's wedding-day, and to pay Halfdan's admittance-fee for joining the hall in Eid. He was one of the richest and most-respected men in Os. He was the closest thing to a father Halfdan had known, and had taught Halfdan a lot. Aunt Anna was thin, a bit taller than her husband, with hands that fluttered at her sides when she talked. There was a scar from a horse-kick on the left side of her face, which she usually hid under her hair-cloth. She had been the only mother Halfdan had ever known -- treating him the same as her natural children, comforting him the many times he came home in tears over some other child calling him a "black troll," praising his earliest poems -- and he loved her greatly.

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There must be men around here who aren't happy with what happened. dear. and both of them can say 'cake' and 'no' and 'up' and some other words. and you two." Harald said. Uncle Harald said. So I came here to get help. But they did that to everybody. but other things kept getting in the way and I kept putting it off. How are Einar and Endre?" -. Harald. never mind trying to fight. A long. windowless except for the smoke-hole in the roof. As she took the food from a wood chest and put it onto the little table." Uncle Harald. putting all he can into his mouth. I don't want to you to join me in this." "Oh. Sorry. Aunt Anna beamed and said. as did the beeswax candle that Aunt Anna lit and put onto a low table near them. "We heard about the hall-burning. In the Swedish War."
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. I don't think that they are likely to come back. though Einar is more of an active-type and likes to crawl all over the place. You've done your fighting. Endre will peacefully stare at the fire for hours. central fireplace with still-glowing embers gave off some light." "Have they come here?" "They have. demanding silver and searching the house." Aunt Anna said. have you?" "Not yet." As Halfdan took bread and piled it with slices of yellow sheep-cheese and smelly pink fish. You can hide out here as long as you need. It was a single room." "Nobody is happy about it. with low platforms for sitting and sleeping along both of the sidewalls. The house was much the same as when Halfdan was a boy. sitting on the platform and resting his ax on the floor. stay here and enjoy your farm and your grandchildren. "So cute and so smart! Barely a year old. "Quiet. shaking her head. single. Halfdan said. "When the Sogn horsemen came here. and that only a black-looking fighter escaped. they asked folk about you. I want young. but nobody told them that this is your home-town. "Something to eat? We're all out of mice. eat. like you would. She said. I was planning to come back this summer to see them. "Uncle. at least until next tax-time." "Then what are you going to do?" "Get revenge. My leg is strong enough to fight. Anna?" "Of course. "Lambi was a great ruler. Harald?" He looked embarrassed and scowled. there were a lot of older men -. And I don't want to take you away from Aunt Anna.This place had been Halfdan's home for many years. Isn't that right. "I'm not going to stay here and put you two in danger. But that doesn't mean that folk are eager to get killed for the memory of a dead man. Halfdan told them what had happened in Eid and how he had run away." she said. Now. You haven't seen them yet. but there might be some cheese and smoked salmon." Aunt Anna's happy expression changed to worry.the twin sons of Halfdan's foster-sister. "And the pains in your uncle's leg have gotten worse." "Yes. one of us. please. ambitious men. if I so decide. "Isn't killing two kings a bit ambitious?" "Right.older than I am now -who spilled their share of blood. he can barely walk most days. You wouldn't be able to keep up. he said." Halfdan said. Right.

A better place would be at your parents' memorial-stone. Each of them is to bring weapons.and recruit them for you. I made a vow to King Lambi and must keep it. nobody told the new rulers that you were from around here. You need a woman who will make you want to settle down and have babies. He said. "let Halfdan do what he thinks he has to do. Wherever I go." Halfdan had not been there for many years. food and watercontainers. "Good." "Where?" "I was thinking about near the sacred swamp." "You want me to go around to all the young." Harald said. there will be nothing for me. sun-browned hand on her thin. it's too dangerous for you." "Anna. We are dealing with bad men. It might bring bad luck. ambitious men around here -those who can be trusted to keep their mouths shut -." Halfdan said. I'll do it tomorrow. saying nothing about Yngvild. single. paler hand." "To a man who is now dead." Halfdan said." Aunt Anna said." Halfdan said. Nobody goes there at night. "And I'd like your help. How many men do you need?" "As many as possible." "Anything else?" "No. blankets." Halfdan rolled his eyes. Tell them I want to meet them tomorrow night. putting a big."I know that Lise --" Halfdan's foster-sister "-. "Now it's very late. "Tell me about your plans. There's no chance of anybody showing up here tonight to search the place. they'll kill both of you for giving me shelter. And he made a vow. And folk might get lost trying to get there in the dark. "I mean. Harald said. We'll meet there. Can't you just go into exile for a while? Come back when things have calmed down?" "I thought about that." Harald said. No horses. "But if I don't do this. "Is that it. Let's talk about it more in the morning." "What about horses?" "We'll have to stay off the roads." "Fine. "I'm not sleeping here. Too dangerous. It's amazing how they can make folk laugh. "Nonsense! I told you. If a neighbour sees me and later tells a fighter from Sogn or Førde that I was here." "The gods might be offended by you using their sanctuary for that." She said. He's not a child anymore." Halfdan said. Yes. Is that a good reason to risk death?" Halfdan said:
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." "Yes. which the wind blew away as soon as they were spoken. this is all sounding too crazy. I'll find nothing to live for. pick a leader and leave. or are you just worried that people will say you weren't brave enough?" "Don't try to talk me out of it.would love a chance to show off the babies to you. "Halfdan." Uncle Harald said. You're safe here. He just said some words. So cute! Maybe it would inspire some ideas in you. that was a hint.

the man said that Njal cut off the head of King Lambi's burnt body and tied it to the saddle on his horse. And to make folk afraid. King Njal of Sogn went digging around in the ashes of the hall and found King Lambi's body. It makes sense -. Well. but someone who had come from Eid told it to me." "Election-time is almost a year away. In sleep. but they could recognize his jewellery and sword. she looked beautiful." A thought came to Uncle Harald and he scowled. Squinting.had fallen asleep. "Did you make that one up?" "No. "I can figure it out. "If exile is out of the question." "I'll try. "I know your style too well to be fooled. she smiled up at him and said." Halfdan put his hands over his eyes. gentle and peaceful. Making all Fjordane-folk too intimidated to campaign for the kingship against those bloody-handed outlander shits." Aunt Anna said to Halfdan. The kings of Sogn and Førde will rule by fear until one or both of them gets elected king of Fjordane and makes their rule legitimate. Uncle Harald said. like a decoration. said nothing. the look in his eyes turning hard. "I just remembered something that I heard when I was at the market. "How did it go?"
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. and the only way to get us to vote for Njal and/or Gunvald as king is through hard oppression. Apparently. unhappy. When early sunlight woke her." he said. carrying a bag of food and the ax. "It's proof of the change in government. When Halfdan left." Halfdan said.nobody in Fjordane wants our kingdom turned into a vassal-state of Sogn and Førde. That poem sounds like he did. then I hope you kill them all. No more is recorded of their conversation. back to where Yngvild -. Lambi probably foresaw how his life would end." Halfdan said. It was burnt and charred. "Why would anyone do such a nasty thing?" Uncle Harald shrugged. then crouched to look closely at her shadowy face for a long time." Halfdan said." Aunt Anna said. Whose is it?" "King Lambi's. bow and arrows still in her hands -. "I don't know how true it is. bouncing beside his leg. he was still awake." Uncle Harald said. He rides around everywhere with King Lambi's fire-black skull hanging there. "People say that he could see into the future. "What did they do to it?" "I'm sorry to have to tell you this. he walked slowly back across the harvested farm-field. Halfdan covered her legs and belly with a blanket. "They want to keep everybody poor and terrified until then.sitting with her back to a tree. still looking closely at her." Uncle Harald said.No life can last longer Than all-ruling fate allows When a debt to death is due Do not fear to disappear Aunt Anna.

Haki had duel-challenged dozens of unlucky men. "Let's go. None so far had dared. if successful."Fine. challenging men to duels. The memorial-stone. He and Halfdan had grown up on neighbouring farms. so-called because of the colour of his hair and beard. Unlike most outlaws. the men Uncle Harald had spoken to started showing up. but had never been close friends.in which case. Earlier this year. Other than an occasional shepherd bringing a herd to or from pasture. But most shared motives with Haki: ambition
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. So he was looking for something else to do. and were after revenge like Yngvild and Halfdan. and was pleased to see some of the area's best brawlers. would bring silver. and others much like it. although Halfdan greatly respected Atli's wisdom and calm. not as peaceful. and he went around openly daring the families of his victims to try vengeance on him. he had been outlawed by the Fjordane Assembly for his many notorious wrongs -. Haki did not go into exile. Others had a grudge over a family member who had been killed or raped by "tax-collectors. or fight -.which meant that anybody who wanted to could kill him without penalty. Halfdan and Yngvild greeted each of them with hand-shakes and explanations. and who were outlanders from Sogn and Førde. these men could either pay Haki to cancel the duel. Haki was a thick-armed and tall bully. One of these was Atli the Red. and Haki went on doing as he pleased. earning a fortune in land and silver. were on some flat ground near a bend in a path up to the mountains. but his passion for gambling and whoring meant that he was usually broke. few used this out-of-the-way path. The runes on the man-sized chunk of rough grey granite sticking from the ground read: G∅DR∅D OF OS ~ LEFT AND NEVER RETURNED AASA OF NUBIA ~ DIED HERE RUNES CARVED BY THEIR SON ~ HALFDAN After darkness fell. Atli showed up at the meeting because of his political beliefs: he did not want to be ruled by men who had killed Lambi. Fighting to avenge King Lambi sounded fun and. He recognized most of those who were around his own age. and some of these men had been children when he left. capable in most things. even if it was a sneakkilling. The only difference being an outlaw meant to Haki was that he could no longer force other men to duel. though not very confident or assertive. like Atli. who had once earned a living by travelling from town to town. Some of the twenty-two young men who met with Halfdan that night were there for political ideals. and who were terrorizing innocent folk. He was a very smart man. Some of them he did not recognize. "Fjordane should be ruled by a Fjordane-man. as an outlaw." or they themselves had been treated badly." "So what's next?" Yngvild was as beautiful awake as sleeping -. stubborn character and skill at poetry. Halfdan had lived away from Os for eleven years. Haki would kill them and become the legal owner of all the duel-loser's property.but not as gentle." Another good recruit was Haki the Berserker." he said. his challenges could be ignored without shame.

"I have news! My brother Ole just got off a ship that was in Eid yesterday. Younger brothers. But there are two reasons why you can't come. Sten. and all agreed that anybody who broke the oath would lose their life. Some Førde-fighters switched allegiance and stayed in Eid to serve King Njal. and Halfdan said.he doesn't know how true it is -that King Njal is not well. And if things get really desperate.there will be problems. showing off King Lambi's head on his saddle-string and looking for young girls to rape in front of their parents.and small-town boredom. the youngest son of Halfdan's Uncle Gunnar (Gødrød's brother) and Aunt Ragnhild. Whether hurt in the battle or just sick. Things are very confused over there. "Ole heard a rumour -." "There's more. Nobody has seen him in the streets since the battle.stabbed him in the back while they were drinking together. If a man gets hurt fighting. First. One of the last recruits to arrive was called Fisk the Bone-Chewer. "You can not come with us now. with one woman in a group of twenty-three young. though lots of men on both sides were killed. single men -. King Njal's side did better in the fighting. Fisk said to everybody. Fisk was Halfdan's cousin. Then there was a battle in Eid between King Njal and his Sognfighters against the fighters from Førde who had served King Gunvald. and he used to ride around all the time. Without inherited property. but people in Eid think something is definitely wrong with him. Folk in Eid say that there are still bad feelings between these side-switchers and the real Sogn-men. Njal was always the worst." Everybody offered their opinions on this news. or so folk said. Of the two kings. After embracing Halfdan. because of the battle.if they were also lucky enough to find someone to marry. I can help out with my arrows.the only weapons raised for Haki belonged to Haki and his big cousin.usually choosing one with inherited property. "Enough! Whether we go to Eid to kill one foeking or two." Fisk said. Halfdan had all the Os-men swear an oath not to abandon the feud until King Njal or they were destroyed. denied inheritance and wife. knew of Halfdan's reputation and joined him in hope of getting rich through war -. They were younger sons." She protested."
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. and folk in Eid are sacrificing lots of beasts for the gods to not let him recover. After the battle. until Haki said. There were always more single men than women around here (as it was customary then to drown unwanted babies. Haki shrugged and stayed calm." Atli said. "I know healing. where Ole heard that King Gunvald is dead! People say that King Njal killed him -. Halfdan and Yngvild went where the others couldn't hear. that's not known. I can treat him. "That is good news for us. who knew that an eldest brother would inherit all of their father's farm or fishing-boat or flock of sheep. and mothers mostly drowned daughters). asking questions that Fisk did not know enough to answer. the important thing is that we go!" Both Halfdan and Haki volunteered to be war-chief. There was a vote -. most of the surviving Førde-men went onto their ships and sailed back to Førde. they would need luck to find any work that paid well enough support a wife and family -. so women could choose from many suitors -. very angry." "I'm not saying that you would not be useful.or at least getting out of Os for some excitement. Fisk was nineteen years of age and very skilled at hunting.

Some of us will probably die soon.glancing at her chest. Yngvild stood by Gødrød and Aasa's weather-worn stone. If not. will lead to jealousy. "A belt under my shirt can squash me flat." "You troll! Let me come with you! I'll go into the woods to cut off my hair and dress as a male. I'll send for you. After this is all done."But I'm yours. "And how will you hide those?" -. her lips stayed tight and cold. towards the mountains and fjord." When Halfdan kissed her." "If you abandon me now. Some might not. maybe I won't want you then." "Some would. then come back here and say I'm a new recruit. The fighters followed the shepherd-path south. picked up his bag and ax." Yngvild said. went back to the men." "No. that's your decision." "And the other reason?" "Because I don't want you to be hurt. I do not want one to be you. while the others are alone and far from home.
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. For the war-chief to bring along a woman as pretty as you. watching him lead the small army away. "Tell them that with enough authority and they'll leave me alone. He turned away." "I hope you do." Halfdan smiled and said. Yngvar the Beardless. You have to stay behind." "Unlikely.

and so weighted down by my countless faults. in her unnatural scheme. the unworthy and weak. Her name is Leoba. And even though now we are so very distant and apart. my tower of strength against enemies both without and within. she scraped a razor across cheeks and chin every day. Not to waste further words: not a day nor a night goes by without some remembrance of that long-ago summer in York with you.as a storm-tossed sailor longs for harbour.do I long for the sight of you. of the town of Melrose. Why did she join the Monks at Iona. This peasant-woman was confronted by Iona's Abbott. quite plain of face. of common birth. She was just two weeks away from setting sail for Jerusalem. An unmarried peasant-woman from a town near Iona became pregnant. my faithful Alcuin." I acknowledge that reading the affirmations of your affection for me. and difficult to keep.
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. and I am plunged again and again into vexation. as always. Pilgrimage to foreign lands has been forbidden to English females. if you are willing to condescend. The lying peasant-woman pointed at the disguised Leoba. as I do so well. that hope of salvation from impending danger cannot be mine. and twenty-five years of age. and with my departed brother. Let me tell you briefly of her background. her warmest affection. hard to find. Leoba stubbornly wishes to see the Holy Land. who has caused me great perplexity. so-loyal friend. as if to remove beard. Despite that absolute injunction. and the peasant-woman was told to identify which of the Monks had made her pregnant. since the Synod of Whitby. evangelist and ambassador of Rome to the barbarians: Tetta. May I presume to ask Your Reverence's advice on a problem of great difficulty? I am struggling to find a fitting course of discipline for a very unusual Nun. to the eye. has filled my very inmost soul with a sweetness as of honey. as an anxious mother watches by the shore for her son -. venerable scholar. that "a friend is long to seek. across stormy seas and foreign lands. Knowing. so that you might offer your humble student a few words of advice. there is nothing indicating her strangeness. as expressed in your thrillingly-eloquent last letter. when the deception was uncovered. rather than joining other girls and women at a Convent? She claims that her only motivation was the fact that. and her continuing offence. I am informed that she assumed a false voice at all times. brought to Iona. sends to you. backed by both ecclesiastical and royal authority. yet you remain.12: TETTA WRITES TO ALCUIN * October 27. Believe me -. I blush to mention how this impostor went so far. as to carry around a leather device to enable her to pass water while standing. whom we both loved. Year of Our Lord 792 To Alcuin of York. on a ship full of duped Monks. But I am so oppressed by the tyranny of my sins. and rumours spread that she had been seduced by one of the Monks. Leoba was unwillingly brought here after being caught in a shocking act of deception -she had somehow managed to spend over two years living at the Iona monastery dressed as a Monk and pretending to be a man.

Only when she was taken to the miserium. Although Leoba had joined the Benedictine Order under false pretences. she made her second attempt to escape. but her timing was poor. but the goat-skin pages themselves." Easier to tell than to do! She is frequently defiant towards my authority. on her own -.she made not only the golden script. but also produced in very little time. and He was pleased to lay it on His sacred shoulders and carry it back to the flock -. ignored by the entire community. such as she." Leoba was secretly told that my arms and my heart are open for prodigal daughters. which complicates my attempt to properly discipline this turbulent and difficult young woman: as a scholar. At that time. and the painted leather cover. has tried twice already to escape the convent. though made by a rebellious and insolent Nun! Her first escape attempt consisted of trying to run across the sand-bar connecting our island to the mainland. my next chastisement was to forbid her from the chapel. I. and not be Blessed by anyone passing by. this crazed girl just snarled that Lindisfarne was a jail and that I was her jailor! As punishment for that escapade.When Leoba was given the opportunity to respond to the allegation.but you can see for yourself. to so describe Leoba.so." Later. and as a visual artist. as the tide washed over the sand-bar before she had gone far. she was held nevertheless to be bound by our Rule. So she was sent here -. reluctantly. to general astonishment.
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. Leoba is greatly gifted by God. Her work in the scriptorium is always a joy to behold: she blends the modern and the classic. she denied seducing the peasant-woman -. in ways that I had never before imagined -. and debarred her from eating at the common table. most-lowly Tetta. When she continued to flout my authority by tone of voice and expression of face. tried to bring this lost Nun home. as you can see. and the wind (with God's Will) blew her back to shore and us. and subject to monastic authority. but she was seen. by taking a small boat and trying to row away. in an attempt to induce her to repent and humbly beg forgiveness of the Abbess. Did she beg forgiveness? Acknowledge that she had done wrong? No. the Roman and the Celtic. Like the Good Shepherd. and for her lack of humility and obedience. Her script-writing is not only highly accurate and beautiful.with a short note from Bishop Higbold ordering me to "teach her how to become a proper Nun. I invoked Chapter XXIV of our Rule. I ordered her punished as per Chapter XXV: "Let none of the other sisters stand near her or speak with her. I followed Chapter XXVII: "Like a prudent physician." but I am forced. to show that the accusation was physically impossible. Let her be always alone at her work. where she was soon caught and brought back to the convent. the Abbess ought to use every opportunity to send discreet and trusted older Nuns to secretly approach and console the excommunicated sister. and the decorations on the spine -. and refuses to promise not to try to escape again. There is another factor involved.all wonderful. The next day.but refused. seeing that loneliness was causing Leoba sadness. to go back and seek and find the one that had gone astray. even then. who left the ninety-nine sheep on the mountains. I have enclosed a copy of Bede's Ecclesiastical History that Leoba produced.locked in a cage suitable for transporting a wild animal -. I am wary of the word "genius. and the brown robe pulled away for punishment. and she was forced to wade back to our island. was her true sex discovered. neither let Blessings be put upon the food that is given her.

in that insolent voice of hers. to be stepped over by sisters entering and leaving the chapel. O holy oblate. Alcuin. that will be a matter of weeks. but I doubt such a result. not months. Forced fasting. I hesitate! If I thought that physical pain would make Leoba into a "proper Nun. With mockery. I will continue her excommunication in its present form until I hear from you. but rather that I am on bended knee begging from you what is far more necessary: namely. "Sooner or later. but as a caged transvestite? And. at the time that the Word of God is celebrated in the chapel. in silence. I will be free to make my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. our Aethwald. no doubt -. as I respect and revere your opinion above those of all other men. I will follow that Rule with Leoba. my beloved with pure and sincere affection.falsely. that I am not sending you these gifts in the hope of receiving any earthly gift in return. and it would certainly increase her fanatic lust to leave England! In your last wise letter. finally. if I follow your commands with my whole strength. who is now watching us with joy from Christ's right side.) I am well-aware of Chapter XXIIX of our Rule: "Of Those Who Have Often Been Corrected.But her sneering and contempt continued. I am sure that it will greatly help towards the salvation of my soul." If necessary. where the Virgin Mary has said I must go. four times a day. she says. My next step was the sanction described in Chapter XLIV: "Let her. Please tell me what to do.occasionally. hair-shirts. face down.but she is stubborn! Leoba has snarled at me many times.to see visions and hear divine voices. Alcuin. your dear friend. I can survive anything until then. you will have to let me go. hopefully. discipline among the others could decline." Leoba has lain on the top of the stone steps to Cuthbert's chapel for many weeks now. Abbess Tetta. But Do Not Amend. I will follow your advice. which I have often re-read by bed-side candle. that in these days of ubiquitous and sudden dangers. you commended use of the rod in monastic discipline. She is stepped over by each of the Nuns going in and out of the chapel -. Tetta
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. you would help me with your prayers by offering holy Masses for the immortal soul of my brother. but I am reluctant. Farewell. Know. with scandals and corruption lurking on all sides." (Leoba claims -. lie stretched. before the door of the chapel." I would inflict it with tears of joy. that ecclesiastical law does not allow me to punish Nuns with death or to confine her indefinitely. a clumsy Nun will kick Leoba -. rod-strikes to her shoulders -. Leoba is so stubborn and bitter that I know that such chastisement would fail to reform her character. Does the situation I have described change your opinion at all? Does it matter that the wrongdoer is highly unlikely to be reformed by physical pain? Does it matter that she came here not as a willing applicant. does it change your opinion to know she is an artist with God-given gifts? I fear that a wrong step on my part could deter her from using her talents on behalf of religion! I cannot decide what to do. be my tower of both wisdom and strength. and it was clear that if I did not act firmly. Alcuin. my brother in the spirit.O. and may you continue to be strong and useful for our Lord. When you expel me.

followed by Atli. Halfdan had insisted that all of the travelling fighters often turn to look behind themselves. They stalked in a single line through the chilly wild-land. this scar in the mountain's face looked like it was from an avalanche. sitting on rocks or stretching out on the hard. Making it out of pieces of rock. The skin of almost everybody's face and hands was smeared with mud. as mentioned earlier. rabbits and other wary game." "Building what?" "Seems to be a fort. Haki had known the berserker from Sogn who had owned the ax before Halfdan. Soon before noon. Some drank water from their clay bottles or picked the tiny blueberries growing all around or leaned on their lumpy bags with closed eyes. Halfdan did not really need to do this." "Show me. bumpy ground. Halfdan had traded his ax to Haki for a thick-bladed. two-handed sword. on a little outcrop of rock. but always moved their heads and eyes from one side to another in search of hidden foes. a scout ran back to the main group and told Halfdan. "as he was one of the toughest men I've ever had the joy of swinging iron at. the rearguard. to cover the eye-catching whiteness. The scout led Halfdan forward through a patch of spruce-forest to the edge of a sharp ridge that overlooked a deep and narrow valley. The scouts never looked straight forward as they slipped through the trees and mountain-rocks and grass-clumps. Haki was sad to hear that his friend and fellow-berserker was dead.13: THE BATTLE OF THE BEACON After eight days of travelling and training." Halfdan always marched at the front of the main group of fighters. They seem to be guarding slaves." Atli passed the order back along the column. The men quietly put down their bags and weapons and rested. On the far side
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. This was not necessary when hunting beasts but. The other scout was waiting there. but he covered his skin with mud anyway. Halfdan's army moved down a frostdusted mountain. and now fully accepted Halfdan's right to be war-chief." Haki was impressed with Halfdan's luck in killing the berserk Sogn-man. Everybody's helmet and shield and clothing were camouflaged with hanging bits of dry moss or spruce-branches or tufts of dry grass. Everybody's weapons were wrapped in cloth to keep them from clinking or reflecting sunlight. trying for a nap. King Lambi had taught Halfdan the importance of looking behind when hunting intelligent. He would give his fighters no reason to complain that he asked them to do things he would not do himself. about a half-day's march away from Eid. for the obvious reason. boar-pigs. wolves. following two scouts (the most skilled hunters in the group) who searched the ground ahead with skills earned from years of seeking deer. "There are fighters ahead. armed foes. all the way back to Haki. Halfdan told Atli to get the men to rest and eat. then had travelled together. who are building something. the second-in-command. "while I go take a look. They had fought against each other once at a drinking-fest up north.

"But why up here?" asked the first scout. and
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.and their hair and beards were long. "But if we go around the fort and try to get down to Eid a different route." The other scout said." "So if we attack them. wearing ragged clothes." Halfdan said. towards a bare peak of grey rock. they'll light the beacon and warn Njal that we're coming. One of the guards was sitting on a horse. there is something inside it. When Halfdan held out a hand to judge distance. This one might be the easiest to take." "A pile of wood?" the other said. we have to destroy one of these forts.of the avalanche-valley. to make a thick black smoke -. Halfdan and his cousin Fisk and two other Os-men were hiding in the broken and rocky ground just beneath the construction-site. puffy sleeves -.bright colours. folk in Eid will see smoke -. "Yes. "They probably have arranged the beacon-forts so that it's hard to get past them all without being seen by the eyes in one of them. "To get to Eid with surprise. The thirty or so men over there were too far away to see clearly. "Can you see something inside the fort?" The scouts looked closely." said the other. without giving the foe a chance to light the beacon-fire. They are probably building other forts like this on the other routes down. Hard to tell what it is. carrying shields and spears. The slaves were under guard by a smaller number of men with helmets. each of the men was as long as his thumb-nail. "What are they doing up there?" whispered one of the scouts. If the beacon is lit." "What for?" "It must be a signal-beacon. for all we know. One said. the others are completely built. More than half of them had shaven heads and faces. you said that there might be other forts with beacons in other places." Halfdan said. "Looks like they are building a fort. "It looks like a pile of wood to me too. Their clothes looked like those popular with fighters -." "Right. Other men carried rocks on shoulder-packs up to the construction site from a place where a third group of slaves was using sledgehammers and spikes to break the mountain into building-bricks. on a part of the slope away from the tents. They were each armed with swords. they'll see the fire. the mountain-side rose steeply to the left. Let's go back to the others and make a plan. Too far to see faces. That will tell them that trouble is on the way.or at night.still low enough to jump over. sticking over the wall. and give them time to get ready. Some of them were piling square pieces of rock onto a low wall. "This fort is placed where it blocks the easiest way down from the mountains to Eid. Their bodies and clothes and swords were sprinkled with rockdust to blend in with the grey mountainside. Halfdan said.the wood will have been soaked in a special oil." Early the next morning." "Then what do we do?" Halfdan said. Look at the walls on this one -. Halfdan said." "What is a beacon?" "The fighters in the fort can light the wood to send a signal. These men looked like slaves.

just as Halfdan had approached his uncle's house. From his hiding-place. they looked like natural parts of the mountain. hopefully in time to rescue Halfdan's group. He quickly scrambled back to his feet and sprinted after the others.
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. being replaced by other fighters. two ravens flapped by. as quietly as they could.then nodded and jumped to his feet and yanked out his sword. Halfdan's advance group's task was to stop the beacon from being lit. To stop a warning-signal reaching Eid. lying still in the shadows of avalanche-chunks. none was asleep -. These guards were all from Førde. After a breakfast of cold oatmeal for the slaves. Some of the guards had taken shifts to watch from the fort and make patrols. They would be watching uphill and. He thought that he had heard the voices of guards from there. Nobody noticed them at first. At sunrise. They had spent the long. Halfdan made eye-contact with each one of them in turn -. Halfdan and his three hidden companions watched the guards and slaves crawl out of their tents.wearing dusty helmets.but how many? Halfdan slowly moved his head around to check that the others were in position. The slaves mostly worked in silence. but that the guards would be going back to Eid tomorrow. the guards with shields and spears often joked or gossiped to each other. and both the slaves and the guards had sometimes left their tents to piss or shit on the rocks.good. Halfdan learned that the slaves were to stay up here until the job was done. cold night slow-sneaking towards the beacon-fort. The four Os-men were running uphill in a group when Halfdan stepped into a pile of horse-shit and slipped. the same sort of construction work as yesterday began. sleeping in fart-filled tents while the Sognfighters got better jobs near the town. Halfdan could hear some of the men talking. but was not sure. It made sense to have guards by the beacon to light it in an emergency -. or shouted threats at slaves. they had switched allegiance to King Njal recently. others putting the blocks into place. Their first job was to kill the horseman if he tried to ride away to bring a warning to Eid. They were. Covered with rock-dust. The other three young men also jumped to their feet and unsheathed their sharp iron. Overhead. and meat and beer for the guards. low sun stared down. The rest of Halfdan's war-band had spent the night approaching the foe from a different direction. The half-built walls were high enough to block any view of the inside. but nobody had noticed the four almost-motionless men inching closer and closer all night. Slaves cut stone into blocks and other slaves lifted the blocks to the half-built beacon-fort. would burst out of hiding and charge up the open slope. Halfdan could not see inside the circular fort from his hiding-place. He fell back and landed on his ass. no shields or body-armour. But the younger men were faster and reached the low wall at the tip of the peak before him. All of them ran. at the first sign of action near the beacon. after their King Gunvald was killed. Their next job was to charge uphill to the beacon-fort. The guards and slaves had set up tents to sleep near the work-place. Listening. they would now be hiding a distance down-hill from the half-built fort. They complained about how the Førde-men had to work up in the mountain with slaves. and a pale. with an occasional comment to another slave about the work. uphill towards the half-built fort. If all had gone according to Halfdan's orders.

The spear-shaft and part of an arm fell to the ground. Shouting in pain. Halfdan dropped from the wall down into the fort and swung his sword. He saw the beacon -.Still. The guard plunged the spear down into Fisk's neck. banging a piece of iron onto a piece of flint. The other. the guard looked away from Halfdan and lifted his spear. Two of them were dead. Was the beacon lit? Halfdan hit the ground inside the fort rolling. Orange sparks rained onto the pile of wood and birch-bark. heard the noise and looked around. and the guard had to spend a few moments kicking his leg free. This slave stared at Halfdan running after them. Even in death. Fisk yanked the man's foot towards his own face and bit onto the pant-cloth over the guard's ankle. not carrying a weapon. Halfdan saw a weak smudge of smoke twisting up. Halfdan's sword blocked the spear. Fisk twisted his bleeding body around and grabbed the foot of the distracted guard standing over him. two guards standing over three dust-grey men lying on the ground. Ran towards the beacon and the unarmed guard standing there with flint and iron. his back to Halfdan. stuffed with bundles of birch-bark -. The iron tip scraped the top of his helmet.a man-high pile of oil-soaked wood. But he did not yell or do anything. From the side of his eye. Halfdan turned and ran. crouching on top for a moment. Unlike the others. "Fisk!" Halfdan ducked his head just as a guard inside. closer to where he was crouching on the wall. his body punctured by spear-stabs. white bark. Halfdan reached the wall and jumped up. nobody had noticed them. half-blinding him. In one motion. Fisk was the first one to grab the top of the low wall and vault himself over. but still alive.in the middle of the round room. A moment later. The fire-starting guard was so intent on his work that he did not notice
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. the guards were stabbing down with spears. standing just outside the fort. Halfdan whipped forward his free hand and grabbed the shaft of the foe's spear to yank the foe closer. The other guard standing by the three dead Os-men lunged at Halfdan. looking inside. Faint grey smoke rose. Fisk's jaws stayed clamped tight on the ankle. was standing by the beacon with his back to Halfdan. Some of the birch-bark smouldered. eyes wide at the sight of the stump of his arm and its bright-red fountain. whom Halfdan had not until then noticed. A shaven-headed slave carrying rock on his back. The guard pulled it back to stab at Halfdan again. stabbed a spear at Halfdan's face. When he saw Halfdan approaching. the guard took one swaying step backwards. The good iron chopped through both the spear-shaft and the guard's arm. its tip pointing down at Halfdan's cousin. Fisk. A guard wearing body-armour and a helmet. he did not go right over it and inside. was lying on his side. he moved fast towards the two guards with shields and spears standing over Halfdan's fighters. bouncing fast up to his feet. orange lines of burning formed and grew on the dry. Halfdan next saw. He saw the next two Os-fighters reach the fort-wall and vault over it after Fisk. spraying sparks and blowing air onto it. there was a loud clash of metal hitting metal inside. Halfdan hopped onto the half-built wall. stump-clutching guard showered Halfdan's face. Warm blood from the collapsing. Wiping the wetness away with his free hand.

He saw shadowy shapes.blood pouring down from his four-fingered left hand -. He dropped his sword as he fell back to sit hard on the ground. fluttering everywhere he looked. Fear. but he slipped on some blood and stumbled past them both. They turned together on Halfdan. Behind raised shields and spears.Halfdan running at him. Its blade landed on a rock and the bang! echoed in the rock walls. The killer of Fisk had moved up behind Halfdan. pumping blood onto Halfdan's boots. unable to stop his lunge. terrible pain biting into his back. pushing Halfdan sprawling forward. the body crumpled to the ground. until Halfdan's sword chopped into the side of his neck. The end? But his sight cleared in a moment. The blade knocked the beacon apart. Move! Halfdan rolled fast to his right -. Sword in his right hand -. scowling faces. Halfdan saw a few wisps of grey smoke swirling up in the clear morning sky. Confusion. scraping his face on some gravel. Weak from bleeding. But he missed and.grunting as he shoved the spear into Halfdan's back. dizzying pain blazed from his back and left hand.so the iron missed his torso.
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. Would anyone in Eid notice that? As he paused. his sword-swipe not hitting either of them. His first swordswipe was blocked by the guard's shield-edge. Birds? No: hallucinations. chopping off most of the smallest finger. blood splashing underneath. feeling suddenly weak from blood-loss. Looking up. The guard's head. Halfdan jumped over the head and the body and swung his sword at the barely-lit pile of tinder. his legs went soft and crumpled under him. To show the two foes moving together at him. The iron tip poked through Halfdan's shirt and skin and muscles. The new-born fire was gone. But it hit his left hand. lifted it from the ground. the impact jarring his spine and making his vision turn all-black for a moment. bits of wood and birch-bark flew in the air. Halfdan tripped and fell to the rocky. while they were tangled together. and almost succeeded in stabbing Halfdan's back with another spear-tip. Halfdan waited. bark-strewn ground. Halfdan jumped to his left. distracted. still in a helmet. the foe Halfdan had fled now moved to him -. with a clash of iron hitting iron. Halfdan grabbed his sword-grip. The guard jerked his spear-tip out of Halfdan's flesh. raising the weapon over his head to stab down. ended up sticking his spear into the other guard's shield. Without thinking. Intense. the two Førde-fighters moved on Halfdan with hard. spun into the air. Halfdan tried to attack both of them then. Halfdan saw this foe-man look to Halfdan's right. Halfdan rolled onto his feet.he charged at the man who had hurt him. But it fell from his trembling hand. The guards yanked the shield and the spear apart.

Hiding in a clump of trees downhill from the half-built fort. "Odin's prick!" Atli said. who was dazed and unarmed. Halfdan noticed. Haki and his cousin Sten were the only ones without shields. some swords. Unlike the advance group. Hand. The slaves and guards around the construction-site were startled to hear the clash of the advance group vaulting into the fort and meeting the four guards inside -. The guard's eyes widened. Time to die. Some carried spears. gore-dripping fingers as he tugged uselessly at the slippery oak-wood stick impaling his neck. holding a bow with a stringed arrow.until one of the guards dropped his shield and dropped his spear -. Atli ran uphill after Haki and the others.followed soon by the sounds and sight of nineteen fighters bursting together from the trees downhill.led by Haki and Sten. about to stab down together at him. Halfdan had no hope -. Fine. then emptied of life.There were other noises. "There they go -.clutching his hands onto an arrow in his chest. both roaring -. Atli had waited for Halfdan and his advance group to jump out of their hiding-places to signal the start of the attack. both carrying two-handed war-axes. but was too weak to move. His task was to make sure that the guard on the horse did not ride away. Familiar shapes of flapping black wings." Haki laughed when he saw Halfdan slip on horse-shit and briefly fall down. Haki said. Halfdan tried to look around. Now we must tell of the rest of the battle. these Os-men were fully-armed. silently opening his mouth. He dropped his shield and his spear to grab the arrow-shaft. scrambling to get out of the way. and collapsed down heavily onto Halfdan's legs.reached the twelve Førde-fighters. Blood-bubbles burst between his silver-ringed. Shadowy shapes filled his sight. "Go!" His group attacked uphill. some of them yelling and whooping as they ran with raised weapons. The end. coming from outside the fort. he fell. Back. a fierce battle began. How? A second mysterious arrow popped with a wet sound into the beard-covered throat of the last guard. The slaves dropped their tools and pieces of rock. All. everywhere. But Atli's arrows missed (he had never shot at a man before) and the horseman rode fast away. Atli shouted. Only Atli had a bow. He stumbled forward. with helmets and shields. to carry news of the attack to Eid. Crouched beside him.
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. When the nineteen Os-men -. The one who had stabbed Halfdan's back and the one who had killed Fisk lifted their dripping weapons.finally. What was going on out there? The two foes now stood directly over Halfdan. When the fleeing horseman was out of arrow-range. So much pain.

killed those who surrendered. He also smashed his ax onto the heads of hurt foes lying on the rocks. obviously. "How do you feel" He weakly whispered. "But how did you get here?" "I followed you. "What in the name of Odin is going on? How did --" Interrupting him. When Halfdan regained consciousness. No smoke was rising from the beacon yet. arrow held to bow-string. Nobody else in the fort was alive. She said.grinning savagely. Atli said. Where are the bandages?" Halfdan lay on his side. thinking you might need help. Atli hurried uphill. Stopping to shoot an arrow now and then. "Halfdan is badly hurt. Some started to run away to either side of the fighting and were chased and killed. "Me. Those who did not try to run either died fighting or surrendered. very surprised. "Why are you here?" "I followed you. Atli hurried uphill towards the fort. chopping one leg right off and slicing deep into the other. or are you going to just stand there asking questions as he bleeds to death?" Atli put down his bow and his arrows and tried to help. "Who shot those two?" Yngvild said. not moving. How did you get here?" "No bandages at a battle? Fools!" Yngvild took out the little knife on her belt and poked its tip through the cloth of her shirt-sleeve. Atli saw a quiver of arrows on Yngvild's shoulder and a bow on the ground beside her. He could not see inside. A red stain had spread across most of his back. She crouched in front of him. and Yngvild was tying a string around Halfdan's finger-stump to stop the bleeding. looking closely down at him."
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. As battle turned to massacre. Did Halfdan's group need help? Was Atli too late? He ran to the narrow door of the half-built. his eyes wide and glazed with the madness of a berserker -. And I was right. Haki -. But you're that woman we left behind in Os. Atli blurted to a young woman crouched by a body on the blood-puddled. arrow ready to shoot. Atli had to get to the beacon-fort fast. bodystrewn floor. Haki yanked his ax back and raised his brown-bearded face to roar at the sky. Two of the dead guards each had an arrow sticking from chest or throat. or hit in the back by one of Atli's arrows. roofless building and stepped inside. Then he stopped. eyes closed.Haki killed his first man with an ax-swing under the guard's shield. surprised guards soon lost courage. and no sounds came from inside the low walls. I don't think we have any. Yngvild said. to help Halfdan's advance group if they were in trouble. Despite the advantage of fighting from higher ground. the outnumbered. he saw Yngvild." "Too dangerous." she said. She started cutting off a wide strip of linen. Where are the bandages?" "I don't know. "Now are you going to help me heal your war-chief.

"The healing is going to take time. And they killed all of the hurt ones too. "But I'm more worried about your back." "So King Njal will soon know we're coming." Halfdan said to Atli." Halfdan said. He saw Atli standing behind Yngvild. A lot of our men are hurt. Does it hurt?" "Yes. Halfdan said to Atli. but out of control." "You are going to need a lot of rest. We'll know in a while. Atli said. Looks like he will die. Haki went berserk and I couldn't control him. and Vannu is hurt badly." "No." Yngvild said." "We don't have time. "There is more bad news." "Fisk is dead. Haki and Sten fought bravely and skilfully."
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. "Remember this?" Halfdan couldn't focus his eyes enough to see it well. "Did you question the prisoners?" "There are none. What happened?" Atli said. He didn't kill any of them. "Get the men ready to leave. She said." "No. "What is it?" "Your finger. He noticed that the cloth was the same kind as Yngvild's nowsleeveless shirt. His cousin went berserk too. Njal will know we're here. "While you were passed out. and we have no prisoners to ask about the situation in Eid."Dangerous for who?" She held up a small. Stabbed in the belly. "You're too hurt to be moved. But they all ran away." Halfdan looked at the finger-piece. "I'm sorry." he said. which was covered with tightly-wrapped cloth. I went out and did what I could to heal the others. Yngvild said." Atli nodded and went back outside. "Be calm! If you move around too much." Halfdan looked at Yngvild." "Why?" "Because that's the kind of thing berserkers do." Halfdan said. brown-and-red thing for him to see. curled. Halfdan said. As soon as he gets to Eid. then at his left hand. They killed everyone who surrendered. "Tor's flea-bitten balls! What about the slaves? They might know something." Yngvild said. "Help me to stand up." "All?" "All. The spear almost made it into your lungs. the bleeding will start again. "The good news is that we won the battle." "No. Vannu is probably not going to live." Halfdan said. looking over at his cousin's body." Halfdan scowled. Don't tell me that Haki killed all of the slaves too. "Atli." "And the bad?" "The horseman got away." Yngvild said to Halfdan.

hopped among the rocks. flapping. Weak sunlight and cool wind. screeching. If you get killed." "I want you to be safe. symbols of Odin -. unsteady on his feet." Leaning on the spear-shaft. I'd be a little bit sad. Halfdan started shuffling towards the doorway to outside." "Thanks. then said." "Help me stand up. all-black ravens were busy. He asked. until Yngvild handed him a spear to use as a crutch." "Fine. "I hope you aren't going to ask me to stay behind again. I'll send someone to get you after the fighting in Eid is done.beloved by poets."Rest!" "I'll rest when we've taken Eid. The mountainside was strewn with red-soaked bodies. for a while. A dozen or so white-shouldered crows and a pair of big." "If you leave without me. come. Someone else can rescue me next time. Yngvild put one of his arms around her shoulders and helped him to stand up. He swayed at first.
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. I'll just follow you down. She said. ripping with sharp mouths at the food. Your only job is healing. there's less chance of the men who killed my friends meeting justice. Stay up here." Scowling." She paused. "Why did you follow us?" "To help you." She helped him stagger outside." "If you live that long. "And if you were killed. Terrible pain. The birds -. But stay out of fighting. I won't.

through a door that admits no light. I beg the Supreme Majesty to repay you with eternal life on high. Let me assure you. Leoba must suffer harsh discipline -. I pray to Almighty God. I gave voluble thanks to God for having such a friend in my journeys in these distant parts. The book is truly beautiful to look at and to touch. with tightly pressed lips. I apologize for taking so long to write back to you. But I have an intuition that another type of punishment might work well. the least of the servants of servants of God. my admonitions regarding discipline fully apply. and for her sake. in respect and friendship! Our wish is that it may be well with you till the end of your days in Christ. Let her feel forgotten. how I would sink into your purest embrace -. until she submits fully to your sacred authority. as it was to Habakkuk. that when I saw the copy of Ecclesiastical History you sent me. I agree that the traditional tools in these situations would likely not be effective with such a strange personality.14: ALCUIN WRITES TO TETTA * December 7.for disobedience is the blackest of all monastic crime. lightless room. but your every soft finger and pale toe. Alcuin
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. to be transported to you across such a vast distance at the speed of a wish. Yet. for the solace of books with which you have relieved my distress. if this example is typical of her other work.O. how much would I chastely cover. and let nobody talk to her. for any reason. not only your face. for your friendship. Year of Our Lord 792 To my reverend handmaid of Christ. regardless of her talent. one who helps me so generously with material things. as she so clearly desires. and supports me spiritually with her prayers and the divine consolation of her gentle affection. the Abbess Tetta. She must not be simply expelled from Lindisfarne. and shall after death glorify and reward you in future Blessedness among shining cohorts of angels. above all. prays that Our Lord shall in this life guard and prosper you in health and every holy virtue. that I long for the time -. to set an example for the rest of your flock. in the bond of spiritual love. Her meals and water are to be put into the room when she is asleep. With my hands upraised to Heaven. If only it were granted to me. and. and with a holy and chaste kiss of affection: Alcuin. the Rewarder of all good works. not once but many a time. Keep her locked in a small. I think of your love with such sweet memories. My friend. my precious friend. that He will repay you in the heavenly mansions and eternal tabernacles and in the choir of the Blessed angels and archangels for all the kindnesses you have shown me. No-one is to speak close enough to the room for Leoba to hear.even if it should be as I breathe my last -. Keep Leoba in silence and loneliness and darkness. my Tetta.when I may be able to caress your innocence with my affection. tender Abbess. You have not exaggerated Leoba's technical skill. so I advise. or even show a face to her.

A small scratch. Word spread that the flesh around the tooth-scrape was growing more and more swollen. to dangle it from his horse's saddle as a foul trophy. until it became infected. flames danced on traders'-stalls in the market. watching flames eat their homes. As he was riding around the town. And that the disease-demons now living inside his leg were pouring out a stream of white pus. When folk saw King Njal walk. their stunned faces red from the heat. and that the flesh around the hurt was rotting. The healer tried chanted rituals. grey column of smoke twisting up to the night-clouds.along the two main north-south streets and each of the smaller. The blazing town was surrounded at a safe distance by most of the folk of Eid. Halfdan's army reached the bottom of the mountains. Nothing worked. expensive homes of nobles in the center of town. King Njal showed his cruelty by ordering a Sogn-fighter to poke out the healer's eyes. Most of the defeated.one sharp tooth poking through his wool pants. to end the sharing of political power. Nobody wearing a helmet. and on the smaller homes on the outskirts. there were no foes around. nobody carrying a shield -. King Njal had killed King Gunvald." A snake had slithered across the road in front of King Njal. Flames roared and swirled everywhere in the wood-built town -. "a miracle happened. Flames.to heal him. fleshless mouth hit King Njal's left leg -.15: AFTER THE BATTLE The night after the battle of the beacon. which King Njal ignored.sending a thick. to the wooden wall that surrounded the town. The infection from King Lambi's deathbite only got worse. kingless. bleeding. When Halfdan's army arrived."
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. When the Sogn-healer admitted that he had failed. and these side-switchers had been sent to build and guard the mountain beacon-forts. King Njal's fighters had won. on the big. It was true that King Njal had found the skull of King Lambi buried in the ashes of his hall. east-west streets. King Njal had tied a piece of string through the skull's eye-holes. King Njal ordered his personal healer -. Eid was on fire. except on the empty space where the hall had stood -. fancy. King Lambi's fire-black skull had swung up on the string. frightening his horse and making the beast rear up onto its hind legs. loot-less fighters had sailed back to Førde. "a message about the cost of failure. But some of them had sold their loyalty to King Njal for silver. from the wooden docks on the shore of the fjord. flames roared almost everywhere. King Njal's men had battled in the streets of Eid against the Førde-men. the head bouncing at his side. and its gaping. they noticed his limp.a Sogn-man who had accompanied the invading army -.just a crowd of civilians. scratching the skin. the sacrifice of beasts and magic rune-carving. One of them told Halfdan what had happened. to find an orange glow filling the sky ahead.

" one Sogn-man had said. King Njal had been carried on a stretcher to the docks and put onto a ship to take him to Sogn. "Mother! No!" Halfdan put a hand on her shoulder. saying. The panicked horseman from the mountain rode into Eid this afternoon. twenty-four-yearold son. also had little respect for him. Not knowing that the approaching army was only nineteen men and a healer-woman." King Njal had ordered their eyes poked out too. willingly or not. west along the fjord towards the Endless Ocean. Some Eid-folk had guessed that he went back to his own kingdom to find a healer who could be trusted. called Egil the Beard-Puller." Over the roaring of the nearby flames." "What about us?" Halfdan said. King Njal left his eldest son. By then. Halfdan said. All of us who are parents were terrified that he would notice one of our daughters -. "We have enough loot. Siv probably wasn't one of the healers brought here. over-aggressive. Then they had sailed away." Three days ago.King Njal had then sent horsemen to many of the nearby Fjordane towns." another had grumbled. Calling them all "traitors. None of the conscripted healers had healed him. nobody wanted to risk a battle. I don't know. "Go on. "Egil is as cruel as his father. It's time to go home. "Stay calm. With torches and poured oil. not his brat. "We were glad to see Njal leave. who had known Egil for much longer." the Eid-man said." Egil had had no choice but to follow the will of his fighters. The defeatist foe had quickly loaded their war-ships with boxes and bags of loot stolen from Eid and other Fjordane towns. "Was one of the healers named Siv? Brought here from Loen?" "I don't know.
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. Yngvild's grey-blue eyes went wide with fear. "What happened to the healers after they were blinded?" "Some of them died. with orders to bring every healer they found back to Eid. They refused." Many Førde-men who had switched loyalty to the famous and experienced King of Sogn found it hard to take orders from his arrogant. where his burial-mound would be raised. Atli said to Halfdan. Standing by Halfdan. behind in Eid to rule the stolen kingdom. and the pain in the leg had felt to King Njal like torture. "Egil has bad luck.the beast. Maybe all of them did. Yngvild wailed. with an exaggerated story about a "large group of fighters" who had attacked the fort-guards and were on their way to Eid. Egil had commanded his father's fighters (there were almost two hundred of them in Eid) to take defensive positions on the town wall. others said that King Njal wanted to die at home. they had set fire to each building in Eid and to each ship left behind and to the docks. The fighters from Sogn. Five local healers had been brought to Eid from various places. but Egil was not an improvement." the Eid-man said. "So there is now no government here." To the Eid-man. "We agreed to fight for Njal. She blurted out. And as lustful. the pus had been green and smelly.

Yngvild smelled the reek of infection rising from the bandages on her mother's face. crouched by Siv and put a hand on her shoulder. seeing the pair of sunken and scabby pits that had once held eyes just like hers. "or if she's even still alive. Yngvild's only concern was for her mother." "Halfdan rules Eid now. Mother. and the radiant heat of the burning town hid the air's chill. leaning on the trunk. but this Eid-woman did not know where Siv was now. "You're Siv's daughter? Yes. I've heard a lot of terrible things about that nasty young man. Because I wouldn't heal that troll-king. The Eid-folk deserve my condolences. Siv is alive -. sobbing.Atli nodded. Messengers were sent to the farm-houses outside the town walls that had been spared the fire. The shoulder felt thin and fragile. Yngvild found another woman who said. Halfdan told his fighters to help the crowd of Eid-folk."
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.my family has been taking care of her. One woman said that Siv had been one of the healers brought to Eid. I'm just grateful that Egil and his father's men didn't kill all of the Eid-folk before leaving. Yngvild guided her sightless mother across a field towards that house." Siv said. Never." Siv muttered. asking for donations of clothes and food and shelter-making materials. saying in a weak and hesitant voice. "Is that really you. Yngvild changed the bandages over her mother's eyes. where folk had gathered." Later. describing Siv and asking if anyone had seen her. But I would never heal the man who ordered the killing of Maris and Jann. what did they do?" "They blinded me. folk without shelter would get very cold. I've never seen so much fire in one place before. Yngvild arranged for Siv to move into a local farmer's house. She's over there" -." Yngvild. "So hot.pointing at the base of a solitary tree. Yngvild?" "Yes! Oh." Siv said. "A town can be rebuilt. They were also asked to share their homes for a few days with the homeless children and old folk. "The whole town is burning." "The ruler of a town on fire. I know what is wrong with Njal. It was fall. While waiting for the fire to burn out. When the fire died. Give him my congratulations. and how to heal it. "Thank you!" Yngvild ran to the tree and found a stranger sitting at the base of the tree. "Mother!" The bandage-wrapped face tried to turn towards Yngvild." "Wouldn't heal him? Or couldn't?" "Wouldn't. She went among the crowd of Eidfolk. until other shelter was available. Freya. "With a bronze spike. On this woman's lap was resting the head of a familiar-looking woman with a bandage-covered face.

"Don't blame yourself." Yngvild said. If I had listened to you --" Siv reached a hand towards the sound of her daughter's voice and touched Yngvild's cheek. He is good at heart and I care for him." "Yes. Halfdan will help these folk to rebuild Eid. you would never see me again. wrinkled fingers stroking the smooth. Yngvild. her bent. before I left you in Loen?" "I asked you not to join your fate to Halfdan's. "Nobody can escape their fate. "And you predicted that if I went with him. I remember. softly. Yngvild said. After a while." At the farmer's house. Mother. "Now it's happened as you said it would." Yngvild sat by the bed."
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. tear-wet skin of her daughter's face." "Do you remember the last thing you said to me. holding one of Siv's hands. or that Egil person. "Mother? Are you still awake?" "Yes. Yngvild put her mother to bed." Siv said." "Obviously. You will never see me again. "Try to sleep. pulling the rough blankets over Siv's thin body." Yngvild whispered."He's not like King Njal.

now in the winter of our lives -. shining lover of Christ: Tetta. I have no words to express my thanks for the abundant affection you have shown in the letter brought by your messenger from beyond the sea. to my fear of your refusal. a promise you have kept to date. in a sincere tone of voice. I wish for you and I to be buried in the same grave. in a small separate building which will provide her with complete solitude and darkness.sleeping side-by-side under a single Scripturecarved stone. until she opens them to radiant Truth. May I confess to you the deepest-hidden yearning of my heart? I fear your disapproval of worldly sentiment. As the Israelites followed the Commandments of Moses. until her complete submission. until we wake to trumpet-blasts on Judgment Day? Tetta
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. So long ago. her repentance and request to submit to my authority. pondering on her errors. to your eternal credit. and in that cell shall she remain. so shall I follow your wise advice regarding how to discipline that unruly Leoba. my Alcuin. and shall see no-one -. O my spirit-husband Alcuin. The only exception to the strict terms of her excommunication shall be Bishop Higbold's annual inspection.16: TETTA WRITES TO ALCUIN * January 4. to remember a past sin with nostalgia.regret anything about that time in York. but I must share with you a secret wish.she shall be seen by no-one. I will continue to wait. according to the ancient custom here. I confess. to be sheltered by your prayers from the poisonous darts of the treacherous enemy of souls. Alcuin of York. known to none but Our Father: after our passings. in the hope that your generous gifts were not tragically intercepted. She shall speak to no-one and no-one shall speak to her -. not even the mistakes we made in that spring garden. do I dare dream of our spent bodies at rest together. Year of Our Lord 793 To the most venerable pontiff. exhausted by the tempests of this unjust world. a humble sinner. and hunting-falcons for the King. My best beloved. I have disposed with her as you suggested. into safe harbour. If it is not itself sinful. I regret to write that your promised shipment of olive oil for our Masses. Dearest Alcuin. We shall only open her cell's door when we hear her call out through the walls. that I yearn for our remains to become dust together -blended by the labours of blind worms -. dearest confidant. he insists on interviewing each and every person at the convent. has not yet arrived. Remember in your inspired prayers the friendship you promised me so long ago in York. I am sure that he will insist on speaking to Leoba too.her eyes shall forget the light of sun. please pray for me. when. so long ago. but merely delayed by some incident of sea-travel. then let us not -. and I have not the authority to refuse. I eagerly beg. Let your prayers guide the frail and lost vessel of my soul. sends greetings of enduring affection.

Snow covered the partially-rebuilt town of Eid. which made the ships flexible in rough water. Halfdan had unofficially ruled the town. and the kingdom. Many local fighters had joined his army. then stripping off the branches and bark. the dancing of the waves. the rest was burned. The inner-bark was saved to make rope. who were both well-liked and respected. The ship-building was supervised by a local master and his crew of skilled carpenters. Daylight dwindled until there was none. Sometimes a ship-builder on a rest-break would walk to the women to chat. Teams of horses would drag the naked logs on sleds out of the forests and to Eid. it would be covered with overlapping layers of planks. Sometimes. Sometimes the women would rest on a log bench by the docks. Teams of less-skilled. even at noon. Other logs would be sawed from end to end for planks. Life in Eid was returning to normal. less-paid workers went on foot into the forests to chop down the biggest and straightest oaks. The outer sides of the planks were smeared with a thick layer of tar (made from boiled spruce-tree roots) to seal any gaps. describing rolls of cloth and iron tools and soap-stone utensils and walrus horns and beeswax and slaves and sharpening-stones and furs and amber jewellery and salt and wine from the south and Frankish glass. The loudest sounds were from axes chopping into cold wood and hammers hitting onto iron splitting-wedges and the long saws. falling thick and often. Food-booths sold pickled herring and salt-milk and dried eels and cheese and smoked fish and root-vegetables and dried meats and barley
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. Sometimes she heard the rattling of oak-planks on sleds. The jokes and complaints and occasional chanted poem from the working men. Siv listened to the sounds from the docks. where the master ship-builder would chop them by eye-measure into the shapes of keels and stern-posts and bow-posts and ribs. even when snow was falling. On Tyrsdays and Freyadays. Yngvild and Siv would bundle themselves in furs and high boots and leave their temporary shelter for a walk. Eid's central market was open. Arm in arm. the sea-gulls circling. for almost three months. Yngvild would look out at the pale grey-blue water of the fjord. The pieces of the war-ships were propped up on the beach and fastened together with iron spikes. where Siv enjoyed listening to folk and smelling things. Almost every day. Yngvild would guide Siv through the crowds and across the slushy ground from booth to booth. they walked the shovel-scraped streets to the newly-rebuilt docks. With the sharpened hearing of the blind. Halfdan lived with Yngvild and her mother. After the skeleton of the ship was in place. where teams of ship-builders were working.17: WAITING FOR SPRING Winter ruled. the men grunting or panting or cursing. Yngvild would take her mother there. Sometimes these men would share their bread or sliced onion or salt-milk with Yngvild and Siv. Sharp wind and gritty snow lashed against furry winter jackets and thick wool hats. after the disasters of conquest and fire. The planks were held in place not with spikes but with bark-rope.

or pick up a flaky-skinned onion. which Halfdan handed out after midnight. Many poems were sang about men who died from drinking too much of it. in owlmask and a suit covered with thousands of sewed-on owl-feathers -. a shined helmet over his tangled black curls. but Halfdan would rule the government and religion of Fjordane until a king was elected at the yearly Assembly this summer.were decorated with bits of silver foil and shiny iron bells and sea-shells. The Yule-tree was topped by a seven-pointed star of hammered silver. bringing spring. the god of male lust. Cold. near the mead-vat and the walrus-horn statue and the Yule-tree. He was armed and armoured. and his finger-stump was covered with skin. In the late morning after Yule. arm-length. chanting. men dressed in beast-masks and beast-costumes ran in through the front door of the new hall. blue paint smeared around his eyes. Wonderful. a Torsday. just a temporary war-chief. who played around the legs of the adults and munched on sweet Yule-snacks. Many of them brought children. walrus-horn statue. At midnight. the sun had rolled so far away from the world that it might never return -. which was carved in the shape of a hard penis. The booze was for the men. sharp wind. in bear-mask and bear-furs. smaller one than King Lambi's. Yngvild wished for a divorce. Siv would sniff a piece of dried whale-meat. carrying a big bronze statue of a boar-pig. or touch a roll of cloth. the statue was for the women.stomped with high kicks into the hall. They put the vat on a table in the middle of the room.
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. His battle-hurts had all healed. A bronze vat of special mead -. Ice was thick over the muddy water of the little lake. The branches of this pine -.brewed with magic herbs. while making a wish to Freyir.was carried by slaves into the small. The base of the Yule-tree was covered by a pile of cloth-wrapped gifts. wearing thick and expensive boots and jacket. temporary hall that had been built on the site of the old one.cut from the forest near the sacred waterfall -.) The disguised men -. a crowd of Eid-folk gathered by a small frozen bog-lake a short walk from the town. goddess of lasting love. The shortest and darkest day of the winter was called Yule. This sacred part of the swamp was near where iron-ore was strip-mined. and Atli. (This was a new. Women would rub the nipple of a bare breast on the statue. Yule was the biggest fest of the year. "Yule! Spin back the sun for spring! Yule! Spin back the sun for spring!" They placed the fire-glittering bronze idol in the middle of the room. No hint of sunlight. He was not Fjordane's king.a frightening thought. "Yule" was also the Old Norse word for "sun". beside a carved. To convince the sun to wheel herself back to the world.and dried fruit. which had been taken stolen by King Njal. or his sister Freya. Halfdan stood on the ice. and only drank on this one day of the year -. gulping as much of it as they could before taking breath. It was said that at Yule. Norse folk would offer gifts. Brown plant-stalks with dead leaves stuck up through the surface of the ice. Yule-mead was known to give luck to those who drank it in large amounts. Only women were allowed to touch the old walrus-horn statue.Haki was one of them. Men would wait in line for a chance to dunk their faces into the sweet brown honey-booze. Sometimes Yngvild would trade a sliver of silver for two pieces of warm herb-bread. vivid smells.

"Take this. This one did not resist. both had confessed to coming to Eid from Sogn to get information about Halfdan's plans and. "Take this. louder than anyone. as it had done for many generations. and for a moment the captive's mask-muffled screams could be heard. The noise of the celebrating crowd drowned out the sound of frantic screaming from under the tooth-grinned mask as the captive tried to wriggle away from Halfdan's strong grip on his jacket. Odin!" as he held the face-down head of the captive over the hole in the bog-ice. "Take this. "Take this. Each of them lay near a hole cut in the ice. It sank to the unseen muddy bottom. "Take this. Under torture. Freyir!" Tossing in the other sword. The other was still. These two men were spies. Children squealed in excitement. Halfdan bent to pick up one of the ruined swords.
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. One of the wolf-masked captives on the ice sometimes wriggled. Freya!" Now a shield sank down into the grey swamp-water. "Wolves can't swim!" someone yelled loudly. Halfdan shouted. then Halfdan dunked the wolf-head into the ice-hole and held it underwater. "And take this.At Halfdan's boots. the one who was moving on the ice. to set fire to the half-built war-ships. captured last week near the docks. Baldur!" The other shield was tossed in. if possible. When the struggling stopped. ankles and wrists tied with bronze wire. "Death to Sogn! Death to Sogn!" The crowd roared as they watched Halfdan bend and grab the back of the jacket of one of the captives. Odin!" And the sacred swamp drank the life of another sacrifice. "But they can't! Because the gods above are always on Fjordane's side! And why is that? Because in Fjordane we give generously to the gods!" With that. two men lay belly-down on the ice. "Give it a bath!" "Feed the gods!" Halfdan yelled. Yngvild and Siv were close by. Between them on the ice lay a pair of bent and fire-blacked swords and two similarly-abused shields. Tor!" Halfdan tossed the sword in the ice-hole. The crowd went quiet. splashing out some freezing water and floating ice-chunks. "Feed the gods! Feed the gods!" It was near noon. Halfdan dragged the other captive over. People in the crowd around Halfdan chanted. Halfdan made a speech to the crowd about the evil of King Njal and the threat posed by Sogn to the traditional freedoms and rights of the folk of Fjordane. The crowd cheered. "The outlanders want to hurt us all!" he concluded. with Yngvild describing the action. making many others laugh. Their heads were covered with grey-furred wolf-masks. Halfdan dragged him towards the ice-hole.

Everybody was happy. the traditional meal that marked the end of the celebrations. where their meat would be cut away and boiled into Yule stew. The dead captives were flopped onto sleds by slaves and pulled to Eid. Halfdan handed out gifts of sweets and toys to the children.When the ritual was done.
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putting yourself and all of your blood-brothers at risk. Halfdan shouted. Halfdan and his veterans were heroes. Each recruit was told to stand on the snow in front of a doll. listened with awe to exaggerated stories of Halfdan's escape from the hall. Today's training will not take long. Halfdan shouted. Halfdan's army (now over a hundred well-trained fighters) and an equal number of men called in from around Fjordane (much less trained. you should all know proper spear-use: never swing it side-to-side. Most folk do not want to kill. Gem-covered silver rings glittered on his hands. Halfdan shouted. then you are the foe. Clumps of horse-fur. "Imagine that this is a foe!" The impressionable recruits did as their war-chief ordered. where the snowy field had been set up for wet training. By now. and on temporary military service) gathered in a snowy field outside the rebuilt town wall.like those little girls played with. These unpaid recruits had been training for days in using spears and bows to support the army's core of professionals. in expectation of a spring-time war against Sogn. but much bigger -. If you recruits do well at it. but it will involve something that some of you might find hard -.18: A SURPRISE In the darkness of the morning. Halfdan stood on a little stage in front of the armed men. Standing beside the war-chief were Atli. always stab forward. and the fight at the waterfall." The recruits were taken to the other side of the town. some of them in the kingdom's capital-town for the first time. It can feel strange to use a weapon on somebody who seems just like you. lunged forward and shoved their iron spear-tip into the doll. At each recruit's stab. Until I got used to it. "Wet training is not about the right way to use your weapons. Because if you can't kill the foe. Inside each of the dolls was a pig-bladder filled with pig-blood. Young men from little farm-towns. spear in hand.
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. From a distance. To the recruits.tied to wood posts. "Now stab him in the guts!" Most of the recruits. and the now-famous battle of the beacon. the second-incommand. man-sized dolls -. The dolls had been dressed in shoes. were glued to the tops of the doll-heads.learning how to kill. That feeling can freeze your arm. neither did I. the bladder in the doll burst and the pig-blood sprayed out and ran down the oak spear-shafts and dribbled to the snow. It was well-known that the war-ships now being built would be used in the spring for an invasion of Sogn. pants and shirts. and Haki the Berserk. the big dolls looked like folk. with lots of beer for all!" The army cheered so loudly that startled birds flew from a nearby tree. My officers will chop down any coward who hangs back in battle. "Today we are going to do something called 'wet training'. There were dozens of man-shaped. there will be a big outdoors party afterwards. The dolls had realistic faces painted on the front of their heads. looking like human hair. Today we are here to learn how to ignore the feeling that says not to kill. without hesitation.

feeling pressured by their war-chief and the gaze of the others. my lord. The strange young farmer from Stryn lay dead in a parch of red snow. They all tried to be the first to stab Torvald." The fighters who heard that started laughing. I want you to kill.
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."Good! But what about you? and you? and you?" -." "What?" "It is wrong to kill men. "How?" Halfdan turned away from Torvald and said loudly to the others. "Don't hurt his very favourite dolly!" one mocked. Halfdan congratulated Beren. Halfdan said." "Don't you think that a fighter should be able to kill?" "I'm a farmer." "Why?" "It doesn't feel right. "Wrong to kill men? That's crazy-talk. but could not stab the doll. as he stared with a ridiculous expression at the doll before him. don't tickle it. "Stab it. some mocking Torvald with girlish voices. "The first man to stab this coward will get a silver piece and a job in my bodyguard!" After a shocked moment." "I rule this kingdom." "Why are you not stabbing this foe in front of you?" "I can't. And girls." "I can't. Now!" Torvald moved his shaking spear-tip towards the doll's belly.pointing at recruits with clean spear-tips. Why do you think you were put on this world? You are going to stab this doll! Or be very sorry. This young farmer from Stryn held his unbloodied spear in trembling hands.my fighter." Torvald was blushing in shame and emotion. all want a man with enough balls to do his duty. raising spears dripping with pig-blood. touching it. "Then there is only way that you can serve me and the kingdom. and I say that you are a fighter -." "It is wrong to kill men. The young men who had hesitated." Halfdan said. whose spear-tip had been the first to pierce Torvald. "He just wants to kiss it!" "Mommy.he was stabbed again and again. not a fighter. almost a dozen recruits rushed towards Torvald. other recruits ran at him -." Torvald gasped. Somebody said. You will kill for me. Halfdan went to him and said. staring blankly up at the grey sky. As Torvald crumpled without a complaint to the snow. All except one. mommy!" Halfdan said. The gods want you to kill. but not hard enough to pierce its shirt. "What's your name?" "Torvald. poking into their dolls and spilling the hidden pig-blood inside. all now did as they were ordered. especially the cute ones. "What's the problem? It's not even a real man.

"We've made King Njal think that we are going to wait until spring to sail on the new war-ships to attack him. also from Stryn. A single crow flapped down to it.there was a surprise. "The most important part of war is tricking the foe." Halfdan continued. Most of you know the way to get there. across the glacier. Halfdan stood on a barrel of salt-milk and shouted. bags of food. and those who don't. But we're not waiting for spring. barrels of food and salt-milk and water. Time to celebrate! The party is at Baldur's Field. skis. iron pots. follow me!" The army cheered and banged their weapons onto their shields. not waiting for war-ships. the fighters found a huge pile of supplies: knapsacks. leaving Torvald's snowsprawled body behind. They walked away from the field to a trail into the forest. We're going to ski to Sogn.One of the other recruits. Now!"
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. At Baldur's Field -.a flat place near the bend of the river running into Eid -. bundles of arrows and more. Halfdan shouted. was weeping into his hands. bagged tents. Instead. Most of it was piled onto sleds small enough for a single man to pull. "Wet training is over. No beer. "Sorry for the disappointment! No party!" Groans from his fighters. weapons.

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. four fighters had died of injuries or sickness. the fighter would hop over the blue gap. pulling heavy sleds and carrying wooden poles with iron hooks for pulling men from cracks. Some mornings. Everybody was tired. The air was so thin that even thinking took effort. There the ice was usually flatter and safer. The safest way to move was by stabbing the snow ahead for hidden cracks at each step. The brown tips of the mountains in all directions were gripped between white chaos below and low grey clouds. swirling over pale blue ice. Sometimes they heard a thundering boom echoing from distant cliffs as the ice-field shook. Some parts of the glacier were jagged and deeply cut. Every day. After checking the ropes attached to the man in front of him and to the man behind him. Many men had constant headaches. By the eleventh day. The snow looked slightly greyish over solid ice and more blue over hidden cracks. some of the cracks were invisible. cold wind bit at scarf-covered faces and gnawed into layered wool clothes. along with weapons. it was usually easy to see any cracks hidden by snow. the surface would be too rough for skis. Moving was very slow and took a lot of effort. fighters fell on slippery ice and twisted an ankle or broke a wrist. Snow swirled down to dark depths. each fighter would throw across their sled and pack and weapons. men would step out of a tent to see that a new ice-crack had yawned open nearby. When a crack was found. Occasionally. They all wore back-harnesses to pull their heavy sleds. The two hundred or so Fjordane fighters walked slowly and in a single file across these rough places with strips of notched reindeer-bone tied to boot-soles for extra grip. In some places. They sometimes stopped to pull strips of fur onto their skis for shuffling uphill. Occasional boulders were somehow balanced on pillars of ice. when the fighters lay in their wind-whipped leather tents. probing the surface ahead with the long-handled hooks. The glacier was covered by powdery dry snow. Brown gravel made occasional dark streaks in the blue ice and dry white snow. Each man was also roped to the men in front and behind. they would often hear the SNAP! of nearby ice-cracks splitting open. Covered with a thin bridge of snow. Here. some with ice-spikes waiting at the bottom. the winter sun had melted the ice into patterns of scooped bowls or sharp-tipped waves. In good weather. The army skied in a long single line in the middle-part of the glacier.19: THE BATTLE OF THE FROZEN RIVER On the feared glacier called Nis. Halfdan would decide whether to find a way around or jump across. the cracks were hard to see. Before jumping across a crack. they were covered with ice-chips. one would stumble in and have to be pulled out. The blank white face of Nis was lined with ice-cracks. In darkness or fog or when snow was falling. It was much colder than down at the fjord. The Fjordane army skied across plains of old ice. Most faces were scabbed with frost-sores. After a chanted prayer. Each body was put into a scraped hole in the ice. At night. which covered the mountains between Fjordane and Sogn. Scouts led the way.

Almost everybody was hurt or sick. in his tent. King Njal dropped King Lambi's head to the dark snow. he often fell back down again. King Lambi's head was not fire-burned or damaged. His thick beard hung under a cruel. Frost-bite ate some of their toes. He wore a long red-silk gown. The foe-ruler laughed. "Coward!" So Halfdan lifted his ice-hook overhead and tried to hit King Njal with it. and the heads of dozens of poisonous snakes twisted out. A dream. Boots stomped the snow on the trail into dry grainy slush. Then. in fact. On his left thigh. King Njal barked at Halfdan. growing and growing. while King Lambi's animated head hung from the other. When a fighter stumbled and tried to stand. King Njal tried to strike the snake-heads with the end of Halfdan's ice-hook. still trying to hurt the snakes with the ice-hook. Halfdan said. Every time a man fell. The iron hook and some of the broken shaft was held in one of King Njal's hands." King Njal looked down at his leg. it seemed alive. The bulge burst. King Lambi was saying. dodging the swipe of the bent and sharpened iron at the shaft-end. "Nothing!" Halfdan awoke. nothing. Halfdan awoke to the sound of laughter outside the tent. Grabbing his ice-hook. In the darkness. It was still trying to talk.
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. and its iron tip was missing. King Njal fell to his knees. "How are you going to hurt me now. loudly panting. everybody had taken off their skis and put on bone boot-grips to walk on a narrow strip of flat ice between an ice-wall on one side and a deep drop on the other. it caused danger and delay. paintwisted face. King Njal turned and ran away. Halfdan found that the shaft of his ice-hook was broken. King Njal's eyes bulged from his grimacing. its eyes rolling around." over and over. Only King Lambi's head remained. The cold wind never stopped its screaming. "Nothing. A small stumble would usually lead to a slide into the ice-valley. In the morning. They lashed around as they bit him again and again. a man waited. the wool of his pant-leg started to bulge. but the vipers were too many and too strong. Gritty snow blasted into eyes. Stars and comets blazed overhead. Something swelled inside the pant-leg. just as in the dream. Atli suspected magic. With effort. sleeping in a little tent he shared with Atli. he was trying to speak. until being caught by a rope. What had it meant? He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. The reptilereek of the snakes was disgusting.one reaching high enough to sink its fangs into King Njal's tongue. One night. "Nothing. Haki lost a toe.you are already hurt. Halfdan swung it again and missed again. With an effortless-looking twist of his wrist. he vanished. In the afternoon of the twelfth day. King Njal sneered. It was hard for even a healthy man to keep on his feet. Halfdan told Atli about it. Halfdan lifted it close to his ear. Laughing. black troll?" Without thought." the head babbled. Halfdan could hear the faint words. King Lambi's face grimaced with intense emotions. to the sound of Atli snoring beside him. nothing. King Njal snapped the wooden shaft. Halfdan went outside. The long brown snakes growing from the leg started biting at King Njal's body -. straining to hear the weak whispers from the moving lips. and thick silver bracelets. nothing. sneering face. Halfdan chased him through the cluster of silent tents. Halfdan swung the ice-hook. so it hung upside-down. It was King Njal! One of King Njal's hands was empty. King Njal grabbed it with his free hand. finally stopping on a flat patch of glacier-snow. The track was steep and narrow and slippery. "I don't need to hurt you -. the other held the severed head of King Lambi by the beard. King Njal led him away from the tents. nothing. Halfdan picked it up.

Brown plant-stems stuck out from the sun-pocked snow. These recruits had bundles of arrows stuck tip-down into the snow. The lower parts of the glacier was strewn with scattered bits of rock. A red stain spread around him on the jagged glacier. The waiting foe rhythmically pounded their weapons on their shields. When they got near the foe shield-wall. Many fighters slipped where the wind had blown the snow away. Some of these stabbed into the foe-shields and some bounced away. Archers started the battle. whistling across the rivers in both directions. bare-rock mountains. Snow was falling. They started to occasionally see the white antlers and bones of reindeer. Halfdan and his crowd of fighters jumped from the shore to the river-ice and started running behind raised shields towards the other side. Through the gap.capital of the kingdom of Sogn -. the sight of evergreen forest and fjord-water. they were skiing through low bushes and thin trees. Each Eid archer stood on the shore of the frozen river by a sharpened wood stake stuck into the ground to stop charging horses. When the attackers had almost reached the foe shield-wall. Snow-burdened pines and spruces and an occasional oak-tree lined both sides of the river. The riverice shook. As arrows started flying through the snow-storm. Each falling sled would yank a roped fighter after it. On top of an ice-ridge. the archers on both sides stopped shooting. they saw that the ice-field was starting to slope down. Then they would shrug off the shoulderstrap and use their left arm to carry and swing the shield. Soon.they met the foe. there were more and more rocks to avoid. staying down. Halfdan halted the army for prayers. a rope broke. Most of the Sogn-men had to hide their faces behind their shields to block the stinging bits of wood. The foe threw spears too. before the dangerous trek continued.Sometimes a sled would fall off the side of the trail. The Fjordane-man fell to the bottom. It was hard and scary work to pull a dangling man and sled back up. the rock felt strangely solid underfoot. Far ahead was a gap in the range of massive. close to hand. Fighters on both sides used shield-straps to support most of the weight of their heavy shields until they got close to the fighting. waiting for them on the far shore of a frozen river. covered with drifting snow in others. Some throwing-spears missed the shields and poked into a man. Other Fjordane-men fell. His body looked tiny. After sleeping and skiing and walking on ice for twelve days. As the filthy and exhausted army trudged downhill from the ice-cap. Occasional puddles of liquid water. clutching arrowshafts. they slowed to throw these throwing-spears forward. Bronze war-horns blew! Fjordane arrows made gaps in the Sogn shield-wall. down into the deep ice-canyon. where the river curved in a "C"-shape. The river-ice was bare in some places.
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. As they approached the town of Sogndal -. Most of Halfdans full-time fighters held three light throwing-spears in the same hand they used for their shields. They crossed a place where wind had blown the snow off the bare rock. Snow swirled down. One time.

a farmer from Stryn. Sword-fighters shoved their shields forward and from side to side. Men leaned into their shields.Haki -. The smells from torn. Men tried to keep their shields upright and overlapping those on either side. Sogn spear-men charged through the falling snow at Haki. steaming bodies. He was big and strong but. heavy and sharp iron hacked and clanged and men killed and they died. Now. he hated violence. of a bear. and the Fjordane army skied through dim forest. pushing. Sometimes a spear-fighter would duck down to stab under the shields at boots and knees. He swung his ax with power. His Eid-forged weapon mowed through crowds of unlucky Sogn-men towards the foe's banner. Men shouted insults. Other Fjordane-men.was the first to reach the foe's shield-wall. They were losing. Haki struck down many. It drifted down onto fighters and the dead. followed him with roars that imitated his. Venn hated Halfdan. seeing Haki's luck.
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. had been his older brother. Sword-men also tried to chop at the hands and the spear-shafts of spear-fighters. Despite his normally-peaceful character. Venn thought of Torvald and wondered how his parents had reacted to the news. The crunchy slush turned red. It was marked with a picture of a redtongued wolf's face. as those at the front tried to heave their shields forward. As the battle approached. This man had wept at the end of the wet training. the sword-man would stab forward through the narrow gap between the shields. Halfdan fought bravely in the heart of the shield-clash. the rest of the Fjordane-army following him towards the brown river-bank of frozen mud. Nothing touched him. He shoved forward with boots scrabbling for grip on the gritty trampled snow over slick ice. Spear-fighters held their long spikes overhead and jabbed forward over shieldtops at faces.not carrying a shield. Swords and spears rattled on shields in the crowded shove-battling after the first fierce contact. For a long time. and stayed unhurt. because the stabbed recruit left behind on the snow. threats. When a foe's shield had been pushed aside. like his brother. their bruised and sweaty faces looking grim. Venn had ached for revenge. feeling the hands of other fighter on their backs. soon lightly covering the cooling dead. (Haki's way of roaring was itself an imitation. Snow swirled in the south wind. as the ironbristling battle-walls grinded at each other. a bear-skin fur covering his huge shoulders -. The wood and iron and flesh of Halfdan's ragged shield-wall hit hard with a hammering noise into the Sogn army's shield-wall. Metal-on-metal blows made clanging rackets and sometimes a shower of brilliant orange sparks. the ice under-boot shook. his sword stabbing at the foe shield-wall from beside his arrow-filled shield.) Haki's dripping ax chopped a path through legs and arms and backs. Haki danced around spear-tips and axed them both down. Others made wordless howls as they tried to kill strangers. roaring. let us tell of what happened in the battle to a young recruit called Venn the Gentle. The Sogn shield-wall started to stagger backwards. prayers. During the harsh trek across the glacier. Torvald.

Venn was so scared that he forgot to throw the throwing-spears. groaning and clutching the spear. One of the veteran Sogn-men chopped his sword at its shaft. sprawled on red river-ice. Venn slipped on a piece of flesh on the snow. Halfdan hacked and hacked at the desperately-defending Sogn-man. He dropped his throwing-spears. an officer yelled into Venn's dreamy face. "Stab this man!" Venn blinked. but not so far back that he was at risk from arrows and throwing-spears. He had not used his spear yet. Venn tasted his own tears. with no Fjordane-fighters between himself and the Sogn camp. Even if he could raise the awkward stick. For some reason. Venn saw glimpses of strangers' bearded faces glaring with hate. Halfdan followed his spear-throw with a sword-charge at the other foe threatening Venn. Around him.When he got to the top of the snow-bank over the river-bank. The top-edge of Venn's shield slammed back onto his bearded chin. "Push! Push the man in front of you! Push!" Venn started pushing the back of a man who was pushing a man who was pushing a man who was fighting at the front of the shield-wall. "Wake up! Get your skis off and jump!" Venn followed the mass of other fighters dropping onto the snow-sheeted ice. and slowed even more when arrows started tapping his shield. He felt sick. a spear plunged into the side of one of them. Venn tried to see ahead through the staggering crowd of ironbristling men. When the two sword-men got close to him. Venn dropped the rest of the spear-shaft and said. He was still clutching them when he found himself crammed and gasping for breath in the shoving crowd behind the front line and pushed forwards by hands on his back. Over the shields. As the armed mob shuffled across the ice. Venn found himself standing almost alone in the gap. As they did. Halfdan barked. Two Sogn sword-men behind wolf-painted shields were also in the gap. He had not tried to. He saw dead men of both armies. while weaker or timid men drifted towards the rear. He saw a piece of lung by his boots.
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. Venn whimpered behind his trembling shield and tried to jab his spear forward. Every nearby Fjordane-man was too busy fighting to be likely to help him. Venn kept his eyes shut and pushed. "Ha!" They lunged at him. His left hand now only held the strap of his shield. It was too crowded for Venn to even lift the long stabbing-spear in his right hand. breaking it. They grinned as they strode fast towards solitary Venn. almost falling. the shield-wall battle split into two separate fights with an almost-empty gap in between. Venn saw arrows appearing in the ice and an occasional Fjordane-man. never mind using it. Venn was far at the back. He tried to stay to the rear of the shield-wall. The foe gasped and fell to the blood-sprayed ice. "I surrender!" Both enemies said. Venn whimpered and looked to each side. A red-faced Fjordane officer shouted at Venn. the strongest fighters pushed to the front. there were too many Fjordane-men between him and the closest foe for him to actually reach one.

He stank of his fear-piss. Some Sogn-fighters started fleeing away over the hill-top and south. Halfdan followed Haki's whooping. The Sogn-man dropped his spear and his shield lowered. The fighting was now mainly on the far shore. "You! Help me!" Halfdan was hurt on his shoulder and face and back. then dropped down onto the spear-shaft. swung it down. The headless kneeling body collapsed. He started sobbing and fell to his side on the crunchy snow. Both of Haki's arms were bloody to the shoulder. "Torvald. then into a tree-trunk. then tripped over the headless body and fell onto the snow." his executed brother's name. None of the gore was his. Later. unstoppable ax. Halfdan said. Venn yelped. chopping through the helmet and skull and jaw of another foe. Somebody threw a spear at Haki. Haki swung his ax back over his head. Halfdan tried to protect Haki as the berserker cleared a path through the foes with a chipped. Another foe jabbed a spear at Haki's belly. as the battle kept on raging. Halfdan swung his sword up. The foe's head spun to the river-ice under twin sprays of blood. The foe clutched at the spear-shaft. then swung it forward. poking his spear into the foe's belly. Venn's spear-tip poked into the foe's shoulder. Venn trembled and moaned. "Finish him!" Venn hesitated. "My lord! Do not leave me!" Venn started running after his whooping war-chief. Venn dropped his head back down.
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. Venn lifted his spear and wailed a high wordless cry as he stumbled past Halfdan's back to stab at the foe. Pulling legs to chest and pushing hands over his face. again and again. ax-swinging charge uphill through the swirling snowfall. His sword-arm was tired and his shield was almost cracked in two. killing a foe behind him.Halfdan said. and the taunting banner. and he ran forward with a crazed yell. landing by the bodiless head. The spear tore right through its owner's torso. knocking it out of the foe's hands. Halfdan barked at Venn. at the bottom of a forest-covered hill. the dead Sogn-fighter hung limply from his spear stuck in the tree. then threw it back. "Good!" Halfdan said. Haki jumped. slowly kneeling to the red snow. When he finally raised his head from the snow-pile to look around. scattering teeth all around. Halfdan saw the almost-undefended camp of the foe ahead. Venn was still hiding there. On a tree-trunk by the top of the hill. he saw that the battle had moved away. "Now!" Venn snarled and lunged. the wolf-face banner of Sogn attracted the glory-hungry Fjordane-men. spreading his legs over the spear-tip. The Fjordane shield-wall soon shattered the Sogn shield-wall at the bottom of the little hill. He crawled towards the closest pile of drift-snow. He shoved the rattling pieces of the shield into the Sogn-man's shield and blocked the foe's sword-stab with the blade of his Eid-forged sword. who caught it in mid-air with one hand.

" "You don't have to decide or declare anything now. if you put yourself forward. The toothscratch from the fire-blackened skull had slowly. And at election-time. (Local Sogn-folk soon re-named the river "Battle River. If you want that. the nobles are not likely to be able to agree on single candidate or to stay united behind him. Halfdan and Atli questioned the prisoners and got some news. you can be elected king of both here and Fjordane. "The nobles will complain. even to this day. brought them back to earth." It's still called that. He snarled. I'm a fighter and a poet. had been King Njal's younger son." The town of Sogndal fell to the Fjordane army without a fight." "I don't think that I want to be a king. "Death to Sogn! Death to everybody!" He spat out a mouthful of pink spit onto the banner. Rule Sogn and Fjordane well until it's near election-time. Haki found a dead young man in very expensive-looking clothes and armour."It is all over!" some shouted. Unite the two kingdoms. then decide if you want to try to become king. under your rule. Haki kicked the body and shouted. You need to rule this kingdom as a war-chief until a king is elected." Halfdan said. had run away from the battle as soon as it was obvious that the Sogn forces were losing. The fancy-clothed body. each of them thinking he has a better right to be king than you. Then he tossed it aside and went back to crazed violence. Bjaaland the Proud. As he had scrambled up from the river-ice to the frozen mud of the shore. Haki screamed." "Fine.
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. "What do we do now?" "I suggest we do the same here as we are doing in Fjordane. King Njal's older son. "This must have been their leader! I bet it's Egil!" He ripped down the wolf-face banner hanging above the body. King Njal had died a few days ago. that Haki had found under the foe's banner with an arrow through the jaw. King Lambi had revenged his own death! Atli said. Egil had fled into the forest with a bleeding ass. Fjordane won the battle. Egil the Beard-Puller. you doomed losers!" as he chased panicked foes into the dim evergreen forest. "Where is who?" a Sogn-man said. The last of the Sogn army now turned and tried to get away. that's all. painfully killed him. Tossing aside weapons and helmets and armour and pride as they fled. some of the hurt or surrendered foes were alive. As long as you rule well for the next few months. The body had an arrow stuck deep in the jaw. "Fate is strange." "Could I really be elected?" Atli shrugged. a spear thrown by a Fjordane-fighter had hit Egil in a buttock. in memory of Halfdan's famous victory." Atli said. in Sogndal. "I can't be killed. Some climbed trees. And the war. Near the top of the hill. Archers found them. But the nobles are divided and don't have many fighters. The Sogn government is gone. "Njal is dead. one of his sons is dead too and his cowardly other son is probably in Sweden by now.) Despite Haki's efforts. "Where is he?" Halfdan said. from his infected leg.

Halfdan ordered the slaves to put out the fire and "dig him out. Slaves burned the bones." Halfdan said."Njal!" "He is dead. decorated chair on the buried ship's deck. Halfdan ordered slaves to build a huge fire on it." Halfdan said. the hungry beasts changed their minds. The body was sitting on a tall. I couldn't let his ghost stay in there. Let the slave-girl sleep in peace. holding the broken piece of ice-hook and staring at it with wonder." King Njal's body was carefully dragged up from the broken grave. It was wrapped in a red silk gown. pleased."
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. "Be careful. "King Njal predicted what I was going to do. can't allow that. King Njal's body was thrown into a pen with seven pigs." Halfdan said." "You need rest. The anonymous slavegirl and the seven king-fed pigs would sleep together in the huge grave built for King Njal -. as they looked at the deep hole that disease-demons had chewed from King Njal's thigh. "I knew magic was involved. It was pale grey and stiff and -. undisturbed. "I had to do something. When the fire had burned long enough to thaw the mound. "I don't want him to fall apart. Held clutched in King Njal's hands was an iron ice-hook with a splintered wood shaft -. yellow-bearded face showed unbearable pain." Halfdan said. Atli said. standing on the lip of the open grave above the slaves digging inside. which was ripped in parts by the shovels of the sweating slaves. breaking open the larger bones to lick out marrow." It took the group of Sogn-slaves most of the night to reach King Njal's body." "Nobody is. laughing at me! No.and they continue to sleep there.already rotting. But when the pigs were denied their regular feeding. "Leave everything else down there." Halfdan pulled the silk wrapping away from the body's left leg. There was a sudden sickening smell. "Look what King Lambi did. now filled with scabs and crusty pus and dozens of squirming white maggots. Their bodies were tossed into the hole in the burial-mound." King Njal's body had been buried in a war-ship." He looked down at the foul. He kicked its grey face. "Why are you doing this?" Halfdan could not explain. Also found inside the burial-mound were piles of furniture and treasure and a sacrificed slave-girl." Atli said. They ate all of King Njal except the skeleton. The hole in the grave was filled in again with dirt. Then the king-fed pigs were killed. "But Njal wasn't strong enough to stop fate. even to this day.the one that had disappeared in the dream on the glacier! They questioned a Sogn-man -learning that the night of Halfdan's strange dream had been the night of King Njal's death! "So it was his ghost I fought. They refused to eat it at first. "Later." "Where?" King Njal's huge burial-mound of frozen dirt was twice as tall as a man and longer than a whale. other than by saying. King Njal's grimacing.a week after burial -. "All I want is Njal's body. safe. dumped the ashes in an out-house. Atli said." Halfdan said. reeking corpse sprawled on dirty snow.

He complained about missing Yngvild and Siv. spent much time boozing and making poems with disreputable local characters in King Njal's impressive hall. bored and lonely. after the tooth-scratch. no rape" policy. The head of King Lambi rests on the sea-floor and plays no more part in this saga. King Njal had ordered the black. drinking constantly. (King Lambi's head was not there among them. Like in King Lambi's hall.chanting poems with new friends and guzzling imported wine until very late. Halfdan sat in the Sogn-hall on King Njal's throne -. had Atli organize the occupation of the defeated kingdom. grinning skull tied to a rock and dumped into Eid's fjord. Halfdan. each carved and painted to look like Tor's laughing face -.) Most nights. What now?
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. Halfdan. Halfdan had ordered a "no looting. with long feasting-tables and a long fire-place stretching from the heavy. startled the shovel-carrying slaves when he raised his face to the cloudy night-sky to yell.which had two posts rising from the back. "to give the Sogn-folk no reason to rebel against us". Again and again. Halfdan was usually drunk and distracted. "Lambi! Is that enough? Are you proud of me? Is it finished? Is that enough revenge? Am I free now?" There was no answer. He sent messengers to them and to his relatives in Os. oak-wood front doors to the platform at the other end for the king's table. Atli had to try to discipline Haki for forbidden acts involving Sogn's treasures or girls. the heads of King Njal's defeated foes sat on shelves on the ceiling-posts. inviting them to visit Sogn as soon as the winter ice-bergs melted and sailing was safer. as the winter in Sogndal slowly passed. very drunk.Halfdan. The Sogn-hall looked much like King Lambi's.

April 17. You have been. The light hurts after so long in the dark. It is our duty to determine the spiritual health of the convent. close that curtain. Thank you. Brother Ecgfrith. BISHOP HIGBOLD: And when you answered Bishop Aethred's questions in Iona. BISHOP HIGBOLD: You should dip that cloth into the water-jug and wipe your eyes. did you ever mention that your Monk's robe concealed the body of a daughter of Eve? SISTER LEOBA: No. Your Reverence. This interview is as confidential as a confessional. Your Reverence. Your Reverence. BISHOP HIGBOLD: We understand that before you were put in isolation. Is something wrong? SISTER LEOBA: My eyes. do you have any complaints about your treatment here? SISTER LEOBA: No. we cannot understand. My eyes hurt. for defiance and unauthorized attempts to leave. Are you familiar with these kinds of interviews? Do you know what kind of information we are looking for? SISTER LEOBA: When I was at Iona. kept alone in a dark miserium for the past three months and one day? Is that right? SISTER LEOBA: Three months? It was just after New Year when I was put there. SISTER LEOBA: Yes. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Well. BISHOP HIGBOLD: I see. Your Reverence? BISHOP HIGBOLD: We are with our scribe.] BISHOP HIGBOLD: Sister Leoba of Melrose? Please come in. We can tell Abbess Tetta how to treat you. Bishop Aethred would visit us every year like this.] BISHOP HIGBOLD: Please come in. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Now. Your Reverence. Let us help each other. You must be tired of punishment by now. The light hurts them. SISTER LEOBA: [Unintelligible. if the light bothers your eyes. Yes. please. Sit on the other side of this desk. we understand that you are now being kept under a severe excommunication. Your Reverence. SISTER LEOBA: [Unintelligible. you spent a few months under a less severe form of excommunication. and we will see what we can do about easing the terms of your excommunication. Your Reverence. BISHOP HIGBOLD: It is April 17 today. We are Bishop Higbold. Brother Ecgfrith. SISTER LEOBA: Yes. BISHOP HIGBOLD: We expect much more honesty in your answers to us today. Are we alone. co-operate with us in this interview. Both of us are sworn to confidentiality. and you will help us. Sister Leoba. SISTER LEOBA: I can't see much. Now. Wipe away that crusty mess.] BISHOP HIGBOLD: Please speak louder.
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. Is that better? SISTER LEOBA: Yes. who will write down what that we say this morning. 793.20: INTERVIEW WITH THE BISHOP * [Complete and unedited transcript of interview between Bishop Higbold of Bambury and Sister Leoba of Melrose. SISTER LEOBA: Thank you. You can blow that candle out. Your Reverence.

She has to follow the Rules. We say that is God's task for you. Your Reverence. and I have grown to admire her. one more understanding. wears a silk shirt with dragons stitched to it? Or does that to his fingernails? I can see enough to tell what kind of Priest you are. the reason He implanted such talent in you. Tell us what we need to hear. You can help us. at the very highest level. so that we may help her spiritual improvement.] The Virgin freed me. Is she ruling the convent properly? SISTER LEOBA: Yes. Abbess Tetta is pious and tries to be fair. not that good Christian. Your Reverence. through scholarship and art. your Bishop? SISTER LEOBA: For one thing. and the orders of her superiors. pray. or to adorn the best Northumbrian churches.
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. Your article "On Virginity" was persuasively written. I can tell you that it was perused with approval in Rome. SISTER LEOBA: [Laughs. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Why do you not trust us. BISHOP HIGBOLD: So you remain defiant! You wish to go back to your dark and silent miserium? SISTER LEOBA: No. There is nothing that anybody can offer to me or threaten me with anymore. and someday I will do one thing or the other. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Has she been too harsh on you? SISTER LEOBA: No. and we will take you out of that pit and back among the other Nuns.BISHOP HIGBOLD: We wish to hear about Abbess Tetta. Tell us the sins and faults of Abbess Tetta. How can the Sisters do proper services without olive oil? Is that how to treat the keepers of the tomb of Saint Cuthbert? And what kind of Bishop. Your Reverence. One serving this world more than the next. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Nobody is without any weaknesses or sins. no matter what happens here. SISTER LEOBA: No. for the good of the Church. making beautiful books to bring her fame to distant pagans. All excommunication will be lifted. BISHOP HIGBOLD: The Devil has possessed you. because you stole Lindisfarne's olive oil. There must be something about her that is not as it appears? SISTER LEOBA: [Unintelligible. SISTER LEOBA: I will not give you evidence against Abbess Tetta. BISHOP HIGBOLD: You could serve the Virgin Mary in the scriptorium. BISHOP HIGBOLD: You do not have to go back there. I must walk in the Holy Land. Your Reverence. Lindisfarne might soon get a new Abbess. Your Reverence. You could design and make a work to rival even the Gospels of Saint Cuthbert. SISTER LEOBA: No. or die.] BISHOP HIGBOLD: What? SISTER LEOBA: I do not wish to inform against Abbess Tetta. in Latin that would make Cicero jealous. BISHOP HIGBOLD: But you wish to provoke us? Remember that every word you speak is recorded by my scribe and will be sent to the appropriate eyes in Rome. BISHOP HIGBOLD: What? SISTER LEOBA: I heard that you took the last of our olive oil for your own use. My sufferings come from God. We are sure that you wish to go back to using your God-granted gifts for His eternal glorification.

Think about rape. but Her voice sings in my ears and I know She is nearby. How it leads to Redemption. But I do not wish to argue. Your Reverence. When Mary sings. BISHOP HIGBOLD: What does She look like? SISTER LEOBA: She is gowned in sky-blue. but it glows with a golden light like a full moon. Jerusalem. You might lose that precious treasure on such a long and dangerous journey. I could arrange a special dispensation from Rome. with evil intent and the filthy lusts of damned souls. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Sister Leoba. She knows everything I feel and think. Mary comes to me when I am in trouble. Comforting me. and Jerusalem had to be completely rebuilt. we have been told that you are still a virgin. and fanatical Muslims. Sometimes I seem to be alone. BISHOP HIGBOLD: How will you know exactly where the Virgin walked. if I remember my readings of Tacitus correctly. Sister Leoba? SISTER LEOBA: No. That experience will transform me. feel the same biblical sun on my face. Before the decision at Whitby. You mentioned. Men of these dark races will swarm around you. before falling into traps of the Devil.BISHOP HIGBOLD: If you told me something very interesting. Did the gossip mention that the reason I took it was because I was given a direct order from King Aethelred? It is important for him to properly celebrate Mass at Bambury with the royal family and his knights and his
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. the wily Jew. All the old roads in Jerusalem are surely buried by now. See the same ground and mountains. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Speaking of transformations. there were towns in France and Lombardy where. and to help Abbess Tetta. I know that my pains are echoes of Her own. And tears of blood fall down from under Her veil to splash on her bare pale feet as she steps towards me. letting you go on Pilgrimage. Since I first changed from girl to woman. slavery. BISHOP HIGBOLD: What about robbers and pirates? Unfriendly states? And you know that the Holy Land is infested by the descendants of Christ's condemners. She was with me in the miserium last night. when I reach Heaven. we are told. almost every common whore was an Englishwoman who left home on Pilgrimage. SISTER LEOBA: I hope to avoid such a fate. murder. You have only heard part of the story. BISHOP HIGBOLD: And does the Virgin Mary sing to you about Pilgrimage? SISTER LEOBA: She wants me to go to the Holy Land. Her face is under a long black veil. I am here only to help you. BISHOP HIGBOLD: What does She sing to you about? SISTER LEOBA: Suffering. the controversy over the olive oil. SISTER LEOBA: Such suffering would bring me additional Blessings later. covered up by new roads going in different directions. and you will never be able to find the exact places that the Virgin walked. so that I can walk in the same places that She did. Your Reverence. and that always comforts me. your position is most confusing to us. with some bitterness. singing wisdom to me. How does that sound. 800 years ago? The Emperor Vespasian knocked down the entire city. BISHOP HIGBOLD: What does the Virgin want you to do in Jerusalem? SISTER LEOBA: Walk in Her footsteps. It has been rebuilt many times since then. What was this vision of the Virgin you spoke of? SISTER LEOBA: I have had many visions of Her.

What happened to the pretender. when the supply ship came into port at last. SISTER LEOBA: You mentioned that King Aethelred still rules. and you happen to be a Bishop. I know that for the sort of woman who is strongwilled enough to leave her family for the monastic life. SISTER LEOBA: He is dead now?
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. who gave it to the first Priests. The need for a -SISTER LEOBA: The need for a hierarchy of authority is a consequence of man's corrupted nature. pride and disobedience. who passed it on to Bishops. I returned all of the oil I had borrowed. I have read that its other justification is the doctrine of apostolic succession: Christ gave divine authority to his Disciples. you are outrageous. and so he ordered me to take Lindisfarne's oil if there was a chance of the Bambury supply running out. and I apologize to all the Sisters here. and to confess our sins to God every day with sighs and tears. Your Reverence? BISHOP HIGBOLD: Yes. God. The reason why you must obey Abbess Tetta. obedient Nun. and is both punishment and remedy for our sinful nature. Leoba? You seem to love your own will. BISHOP HIGBOLD: You do? SISTER LEOBA: When I return to England from Pilgrimage. of course. That was what happened. but perhaps failed to make myself sufficiently clear. SISTER LEOBA: I am sorry about my actions. yet lacking in sense. that every Nun shall remain where she has been placed. Osred? BISHOP HIGBOLD: You have missed a lot of news in your excommunication. But that means nothing to you. a few weeks later. and to hate our own will. and the Virgin. who passed it to the Apostles. SISTER LEOBA: May I ask a question. In the eyes of our Father. I explained all that to Abbess Tetta at the time. SISTER LEOBA: You did? There is enough olive oil here again? BISHOP HIGBOLD: [Laughs. the blame for any confusion or miscommunication is mine. we are both lowly sinners. That is the heart of this problem: will. is not because I am superior and you inferior.] Leoba. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Sister Leoba. I had no choice in the matter. is linked to the doctrine of original sin. King Aethelred found Osred the Magnificent hiding in a hole in the ground at a pig-farm. Predicting my arguments and spitting them back at me is clever.] My dear Leoba. must obey me. and why I obey His Supreme and Apostolic Holiness. there shall she fulfill them before God. Osred's men abandoned him. Where she has taken on the duties of God. SISTER LEOBA: I see. The ecclesiastical council of Whitby prescribed. And gossips always exaggerate. I want to be a good. You speak more often from pride than piety. Does that describe you. However. I left a sufficient amount of olive oil with your Abbess. over two decades ago. but how does it help you or anybody? To achieve good works that will shine forever in tribute to Christ. BISHOP HIGBOLD: You are learned. You often disobey your superiors. and then. and why she is supposed to obey me. Good works in this world and the next come from obeying our superiors and humbling ourselves and raising our eyes only to Heaven. BISHOP HIGBOLD: [Laughs. The reason why you must listen carefully to me. it is difficult to now strive for meekness and obedience. we are told not to speak useless words.Bishop. It was just a temporary measure.

Sister Leoba. All we ask is that you now speak. openly and honestly. But there are ways around the law. Even Abbess Tetta doubted me. There are ways for us to arrange a special dispensation for you to go to Jerusalem. My taste in clothes may differ from yours. I know that if Osred had somehow managed to take the throne.BISHOP HIGBOLD: Of course. Your Reverence. SISTER LEOBA: There was a rumour that Osred. SISTER LEOBA: I am so sorry. Why such interest in him? There has been no shortage of pretenders to the throne in the past few troubled years. she should explain the commandments of God to intelligent Nuns by words. yes. but remember the Proverb about a book and its cover. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Of course not. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Sister Leoba. BISHOP HIGBOLD: But for us to help you. I am not Abbess Tetta's enemy." That is why we have been commanded by His Holiness to learn about the actions of Abbess Tetta. but to simple Nuns by actions. SISTER LEOBA: Oh. Leoba. I know in my heart that they are real and meaningful. The law will not change. Your Reverence. at least not in my lifetime. as king. [Sobbing. We cannot help a Nun who spits defiance in our face. you misjudge me. thank you for believing. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Ah. [Unintelligible. the truth. By helping you such. I believe in your visions. We want you to understand that we sincerely want to help you reach the Holy Land. perhaps I would be more sceptical. SISTER LEOBA: You believe? BISHOP HIGBOLD: If I had never heard of similar cases. and nothing else. BISHOP HIGBOLD: True. Would you like a cup of water? I'll pour myself one too. Leoba. I am sure that you have read Saint Benedict: "An Abbess should show her flock of Nuns what is holy by her deeds more than by her words. means so much.] Oh. against the opposition of the Bishops and most of the Abbotts and Abbesses. Sister. Sister Leoba. SISTER LEOBA: It doesn't matter now. But there is no doubt that the Virgin has appeared to women in other lands. for sharing your beautiful visions with us. the complete truth. SISTER LEOBA: If I betray Abbess Tetta. and most come to the same end. Your Reverence. Why is it so strange that She should now make an appearance to you in Northumbria? SISTER LEOBA: Thank you. No. was not likely. I wished no disrespect. spread by his desperate supporters. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Thank you. in France and Sicily. in her mysterious ways. We see that now. nor yours. SISTER LEOBA: Thank you. opening up a long-resolved controversy. after all this time. BISHOP HIGBOLD: What should we know about Abbess Tetta? SISTER LEOBA: You will ask Rome for a special dispensation for my Pilgrimage?
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. Here you go. For the good of the Church. might have revoked the law against female Pilgrimage. your beautiful visions of the Virgin. SISTER LEOBA: So you can help her? BISHOP HIGBOLD: So we can help her. we will be surely helping the Virgin. without fear or hope of favour. That was a false rumour. his first concern would have been replenishing the treasury and stopping the Mercians and South-Picts and Scots from nibbling away at our borders. it is necessary for you to submit to our authority as Bishop.] To finally have someone in authority believe me.

But she missed something that sleeping people do. if it had actually happened. But we need more than strengths to make a complete picture. A deception. and runs the convent well. Tell us something more. BISHOP HIGBOLD: I too have heard about Abbess Tetta's gift. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Ah. It became slow and deep. I pointed out her error. Every day. to guide us as she has. Abbess Tetta's eyes will open and she will correct the Nun. but His immaculate and sinless Conception. Excessive pride. Her writings are often full of errors of doctrine. How does Tetta's sinful pride manifest itself? SISTER LEOBA: In her scholarship. It takes a lot of energy and dedication. She has pretentions to being a great scholar as well. as the Virgin wishes! SISTER LEOBA: Well. To impress others. inspired by her pride. The authorities are consistent that the nine months that He spent inside Mary's womb are part of the Christian Age -. and pious. SISTER LEOBA: When she was lecturing the Nuns about the Millennium. BISHOP HIGBOLD: A very minor one. Abbess Tetta just closed her eyes and stared straight ahead. I'm sure that she would have pretended to wake up. like a person who is really sleeping. that she has developed a reputation among the Nuns for knowing classic texts so well that she can hear a mistake even while asleep. It is a trick. From pride. lacking genius. and pretends to wake when she hears a mistake. Their eyes move under their eyelids. and I watched her. SISTER LEOBA: It is not a gift. She likes to have a younger Nun read a classic book to her while she stretches out on a little couch. and that would have been a sin of pride and deception. BISHOP HIGBOLD: It is no sin to lack genius. Which she is not.how could they not be? -.BISHOP HIGBOLD: If you tell us what we want to hear. Sometimes it seems that she has fallen asleep while her companion is reading. Her many strengths will all be described when we write to Rome. But if a mistake is made in the reading. We promise! Leoba. and sometimes there are even grammar mistakes too. she changed the pattern of her breathing. just to impress me. When she decided to pretend to fall asleep. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Anything else?
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. She pretends to sleep. She gives the impression that it is not enough for her to serve the Lord as an Abbess. If I had. just think of visiting the Holy Land. BISHOP HIGBOLD: How do you know that she pretends to sleep? SISTER LEOBA: Because I have been the Nun reading to her. she told us that the first Year of Our Lord began with the day of the birth of Jesus Christ. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Yes. one attempts to deceive others into thinking otherwise? BISHOP HIGBOLD: How does she try to deceive? SISTER LEOBA: One example is this. This has happened so many times. SISTER LEOBA: But if. Abbess Tetta rests in her office between afternoon Mass and dinner. SISTER LEOBA: She has only one weakness or sin that I have seen.but Abbess Tetta refused to admit any error. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Did she pretend to wake up when you made a reading mistake? SISTER LEOBA: I didn't make any reading mistakes. The bump of the eye's retina moves around under the skin of the eyelid when somebody is really asleep. I already told you that Abbess Tetta is kind. in that the first Year of Our Lord began not with His birth.

something His Holiness would be shocked to read about. confused about the calendar. Ellen. come in! Grab her! Both of you. SISTER LEOBA: I told you everything I know. We hope you will be more helpful then. You are useless and crazy and dull. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Drag her back. Is this trouble-maker going back to the hole? SISTER LEOBA: Dragon-sleeved demon! I knew it by your clothes! Deceiver! SISTER WILTHBURGA: Shut up. smelling you. Tighter. SISTER LEOBA: A year in there! [Screams. Sister Leoba. And you reveal how she supposedly takes fake naps and is.SISTER LEOBA: I can give you many other examples of her excessive pride. Brother Ecgfrith. tell me Tetta is a heretic. Until next year. SISTER LEOBA: I told the truth! BISHOP HIGBOLD: Did we ask for the truth? Return to the dark and silence and your hallucinations.] Jerusalem! You're no Christian! [Spits. This interview is over. Get out.] Twist that foot. they are hidden. [Unintelligible.] BISHOP HIGBOLD: Sisters. to take you back to the miserium. Your Reverence? BISHOP HIGBOLD: Do you understand nothing? I want evidence that Tetta is stealing from the Church! Or sneaking in lovers! Or reading forbidden books! Dumb peasant. Ellen. Yeah. in your opinion. We are tired of seeing your ugly cow-face. who thinks the Father is a different substance than the Son! We want to hear of Tetta and pagan sacrifices! Something illicit. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Like the examples you just gave? That is not what we want! SISTER LEOBA: What do you want. SISTER LEOBA: What about the special dispensation? To see the Holy Land? BISHOP HIGBOLD: You broke your side of the arrangement. Your Reverence? Tsk. you thing. hold her legs. if she keeps kicking. stop writing. If Abbess Tetta has other sins.
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. Your Sisters are outside. BISHOP HIGBOLD: Peasant fool. We will tell Abbess Tetta to keep you locked in the miserium until we return for next year's interviews. the next time She drops by to sing ballads. That is the truth. grab onto her! SISTER LEOBA: Demon! Hypocrite! He is a demon! SISTER WILTHBURGA: She actually attacked you. Give my best to the Holy Virgin.

when guarding the caged camp outside Sogndal where political prisoners were crammed. because the tip of his spear was starting to rust from lack of oiling and sharpening. he was woken up by another farm-boy recruit. But Venn knew that there were obstacles to revenge. black-faced. He was lucky that no officer inspected him closely. full of wanting revenge on that ugly. His disturbed mind might go blank. and did not know if he would be able to hurt somebody again. and even worse ends. and by the gruesome events of battle. Venn's character had changed. He had heard about cruel ways of killing: the bloodworm (guts pulled out and wrapped around a tree-trunk). what then? Venn would be caught. And he was obsessed with Halfdan. Venn still hated violence. annoying beasts. Venn paid less and less attention to folk and the world around him -. Once. Third. so he was sometimes too tired to do his military duties properly. even his brother's killer. Venn's right arm hurt. Second. There was almost always a clanging noise deep in his ears. At night. his right hand would go limp and whatever was in it would fall to the ground. there were usually many bodyguards near Halfdan at all times. even if he had a chance to strike Halfdan. Venn always felt tired.
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. Shocked by Halfdan's cruel execution of his older brother. when he was so strange. luckily. Venn did not know if he would be able to do it. The jokes were senseless or childish. the blood-eagle (lungs pulled out from cuts in the back). Venn had never been popular. now. some fighters started to actively avoid him. if Venn was able to get close enough to Halfdan and was able to kill him. Venn would try to imagine a way to both kill Halfdan and escape slow death by torture himself. When somebody tried to start conversation with him. Sometimes. when he was alone. Sometimes. Sometimes. especially when he remembered the battle and bellystabbing that Sogn-man. mocking voices in his mind. When his mind was quiet enough for him to think. Torvald. bloody-handed tyrant. or his arm might freeze or go limp. Venn fell into a deep sleep.21: A HIDDEN FOE Now we shall tell of Venn the Coward. Any noise made it hard for Venn to sleep. their words often seemed irrelevant and irritating. He tried to avoid his fellow veterans. the sound of other Fjordanemen talking sounded like the grunting of dumb.obsessed with memories of wet training and battle and the CLANGING! in his ears and the invisible. he also heard mocking voices.was aching to kill Halfdan. random laughter would burst from Venn's lips. First. not by an officer. trying to sleep in a Sogndal-house that had been turned into a fighters-barracks. Sometimes. he told jokes that nobody else found even slightly funny. Nobody knew that Venn wanted revenge -. Many things irritated him. Nobody in Sogn knew that Torvald had been his brother.

and was awed by Siv's fame in that art). and Uncle Gunnar and Aunt Ragnhild were very angry at Halfdan. with no exceptions. At the Endless Ocean -.by saying. It had been very rude.she had had no way of knowing if he was still alive or not.weeks after Halfdan and his army had sneaked away without her -. two years ago. The furs were covered for protection with butter-smeared tarps (the butter made the cloth waterproof). heart beating harder at the thought that Halfdan would soon be in her arms. blaming him for recklessly causing the death of their son. even you. when sunlight finally came back. After all. at the battle of the beacon. Married to a famous king. She daydreamed about being a queen -. The trading-ship Yngvild had hired took three days to sail east along Sogn-fjord to Sogndal. Atli was in charge of the government until Halfdan returned. Yngvild left Siv in the care of a kindly neighbour (who was training to be a healer. Her mother had agreed that Halfdan should have told her that he was leaving Eid.known to be infested by ice-bergs even in the summer -. finely-dressed and respected by all. The furs would be traded in southern lands for luxury goods like gems and silk and wine. Yngvild stepped onto the dock of the capital of the conquered kingdom. Halfdan had sent messengers to Eid and Os asking his loved ones to visit him in his conquered kingdom. Until the messenger arrived -. far from the tents of the sailors. Yngvild had spent an anxious winter. he knew that Yngvild had been abandoned by her husband. replaced by excited anticipation to see him again. approaching Sogn-fjord.away from the Norse shore.
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. It took two days of sailing west along the fjord to reach the Endless Ocean. and Yngvild slept in a little tent near the tent of her bodyguards. Except for two armed slaves (middle-aged men with families in Eid) for protection from violence.22: YNGVILD COMES TO SOGN When the spring-weather was warm enough to make sailing safe. As mentioned earlier. and he thought it safest if he told nobody. Yngvild's fury had mostly melted away. Yngvild had heard that Halfdan was in a position to make himself king of Fjordane and/or Sogn.the ship sailed south for two days through heavier waves. those on board could see that three war-ships had recently left the fjord. "He did not do it to hurt you. Aunt Anna had not wanted to leave her husband behind. into open sea. but Siv had then surprised Yngvild by defending Halfdan -. The three war-ships were heading to the south-west -. Uncle Harald's leg was aching too much to let him sail so far. Fisk. Yngvild got onto a trading-ship for Sogndal. she was alone. As the trading-ship started to turn east into the fjord. Halfdan's foster-brothers and fostersisters (who were also his cousins) were all too busy with farms and children. The trading-ship's deck was piled with bundles of beast-furs collected in the winter forests. He needed to keep his plans secret from Njal. He had been in one of those three ships that had left the fjord just before Yngvild's ship had reached it.powerful. But she was disappointed." By the spring thaw.the first time she had ever done that -. and Halfdan should know better than do anything that might make her worry about him doing the same. The ship was beached at night. alone in the house. Her relief at hearing the good war-news had been mixed with still-smouldering anger over how he had left without telling her. Halfdan was not in Sogndal.

After the raid. "Yngvild? Are you back already?" Yngvild yelled. or any of the other towns in Sogn. He had told Njal about some islands to the far west -. And we executed a couple of men for rape. after being away for so much of the winter. but also weak men and slow ships. Siv heard familiar footsteps entering her home. for some action and a chance for loot. Because it made many stops at shore-towns on the way." "What are these islands called? "Most of the folk who live in the islands are called Picts." "Freya's lop-sided tits!" Yngvild arranged a ride on a trading-ship heading north. and some in the army were talking about mutiny if they didn't get rewarded for their bravery at the frozen river and for all the hard work they did after. But the pirate we talked with said that the Pict-ruled islands are part of a larger chain of islands. then come back here?" "No. apparently. "He is sailing back to Eid afterwards?" "That's the plan. and call their islands Pictland. "Where did he go?" Atli said. Siv put down her wool-weaving. Because we didn't let them loot the town. The idea of this raid was one of the reasons why Njal and Gunvald killed Lambi." "So Halfdan is going to raid the Picts. Halfdan needs to show everybody that he still rules Fjordane's government." "Where are they going?" Atli said.where folk have lots of wealth. that goes far to the south. "There is an old retired pirate around here who was working for King Njal when we took over. called England. just for fun! Fool!" ==
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. he will sail to Eid. No Norse folk have raided over there before." "So?" "So Halfdan decided to take the complainers on an outland raid. We were having problems with our fighters.Yngvild spoke to him inside the hall. "That man will drive me crazy! What a waste of time! He's off on a pointless raid. the trip back to Eid took eleven days. but it sounds very promising. There was a lot of grumbling about that. because Lambi wouldn't join. "This is secret. then the sound of boots being kicked off." Yngvild wailed. so don't tell anybody.

then float on the rippled. The lines of the long-ships flowed smoothly from bow to waterline to stern. The other one caught a hornet that was buzzing in its cage. Piles of cloth-wrapped sail-masts and bundles of oars and boxes full of supplies covered the oak-plank decks. each war-ship was the shape of a quarter-moon or a smiling mouth. it was usually too wet.the only thing.
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. A look-out stood by the bow. The men standing on the docks wore layers of heavy wool under butter-smeared linen coats. face-paint. windy and dangerous to use fire. On the deck of one ship -. combs. jars of booze. The tips of the bow-posts were covered with leather bags. so that the blades of the oars could fit through. blankets. the war-ships had the shapes of fast fish. five pairs of rowers a side. these disks dangled under the oar-holes on short leather strings. musical instruments. Viewed from the side. pillows. The tide was flowing west. Twenty-five men stepped from the dock onto each war-ship. sun-reflecting surface.23: WEST ACROSS THE WATER Bright sunlight fell on Sogn-fjord. twenty of the men would row. It was the first good weather of the sailing season.the finest of King Njal's fleet. spring-thawed soil and fish. The spear-shaped oars were each longer than three men lying end-to-end. The ship-builders in Sogndal were more advanced than those in Eid. One of the ravens watched the grey-feathered gulls screeching above.it was the biggest one. Halfdan and seventy-four Fjordane-fighters gathered on the Sogndal docks. While on the sea. The oars for the men at the raised front and rear of the ship were the longest. Each of the bow-posts was carved into the shape of a crow's head. that they were allowed to bring on board -. each war-ship was shaped like the edge of an giant ax. black-feathered birds sat on perches. The three other non-rowers would bail water from the ship-bottom and replace any rower who needed a break. For the same reason. When seen from the front. During rowing. each holding a raven. high up over the choppy blue-green water. Men sat on their sea-boxes to row. These were the best-looking ships Halfdan had seen -. Each was longer than twelve men lying end-to-end. When the sail of a war-ship was down. snacks. When Halfdan yelled. knowing new. The air smelled of saltwater. There were slits on both sides of the oar-holes. to frighten evil seaspirits. A steersman (who ruled the ship) stood at the stern. with the name "Wave-Jumper" -. When seen from above. Each of them had lugged along a big wooden sea-box -. Each ship carried fire-blackened iron pots for cooking dinners on shore. better ways to carve and fasten the oak-pieces. chessboards and idols.holding clothes. These big. jewellery. Nearby were three expensive-looking and modern war-ships. crunching the unlucky bug in its beak. intelligently looking around. grey-winged gulls circled in the warm west wind. The rowers now all shoved their oars out and let oar-blades splash down.were two wooden cages. Dozens of noisy. the rowers at the front and the rear of the war-ship were usually the tallest men. and it was very bad luck for these decorations to be shown at home. "Open the holes!" each rower removed a wood disk from an oar-hole. because the water-line was a farther reach. other than weapons.

carved block of oak called a "father-in-law". Each sail had taken a group of Sogn-women months to make. "Pull!" Sixty oars carved into the swirling water. Sometimes they passed flocks of sheep or cows or goats.Wincing from a hangover. he could not have known that it was carrying Yngvild to him. watched Halfdan. the leather bags were taken off the bow-posts. (The beasts looked thin. as the ships were imbalanced while the masts were being raised. As was then fashionable.) Sometimes the war-ships passed a small fishing-boat. Oars were pulled back in and placed onto racks to dry. sea-sick. they steered southwest into the open sea. to cheers." and each had a hole for a mastpost. "No more rowing!" The ships sliced forward with a faster speed. "Get ready! Three! Two! One! Pull!" Sixty men heaved back. A boat full of fishermen was watching when the famous war-chief of Fjordane and Sogn. Half of the men on each ship kept rowing. Men sat on their painted sea-boxes. last fall's harvest had been bad. "A ship to the right!" After a quick glance. Venn. and was by far the most expensive piece of equipment on each ship. painted crow-heads glared at the water ahead. Even with sails down. Now the raising of the sails. In the middle of each deck was a big block of oak. while the others worked together to erect a mast-post and slide it in an old lady. When the three war-ships reached the mouth of Sogn-fjord. (It was not clear whether they were cheering at the skill of the rowers or the fact that they were leaving town. The carved. The base of the mast was held tightly in the old lady by another heavy. Men grabbed the knotted ends of the rope to yank the sails up the mast posts. Halfdan roared. some drinking water or beer. and a big wave hitting a ship's side then could topple it. grazing on green patches of new-sprouted plants. "Pull!" Three war-ships jerked away from the docks. Halfdan did not pay attention to the approaching civilian ship. leaned his curly head over the side of Wave-Jumper and threw his breakfast into the fjord.) The almost-flat bottomed ships floated high on the sunny fjord. When out of sight of Sogndal. the gusty west-blowing wind helped them move. the sails on these three war-ships had vertical stripes of red and white. and the underfed farm-beasts had barely survived the winter. These blocks were called "old ladies. The wind stretched the sails. The small crowd of watching Sognfolk cheered. How to get revenge and escape? The war-ships sped west along the blue-green tongue of sea-water. The fishermen would put down their nets and hook-lines to watch the fleet sail by. The look-out on Wave-Jumper pointed to the north and yelled. resting.
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. scheming. Square farms patterned the strips of shore-land. This was dangerous. as Sogn-fjord led them between the snow-topped mountains to north and south. Each woollen sail had been woven and stitched by women. solidly fastened to the keel and side-ribs below. Oiled ropes made of walrus-skin were attached to the sails and snaked through holes in blocks of wood attached to the deck. No evil sea-spirits would now dare to attack these ships.

as the old pirate had said. They could fly very high and had excellent sight. Soon the highest mountain sank away. with snow shining white on high slopes.As they sailed south-west. "No. They could see land from very far away. until it was a tiny dark dot. Rain pelted down. We can follow the raven west. shining women riding on winged horses through the thunder-clouds and bolts of lightning -. The look-out on Wave-Jumper claimed to see a group of beautiful. Everybody was soaked and cold and miserable. Just before morning. not at all. others fingered idols hanging from neck-strings. honey-yellow eyes glittered as it moved its black head side to side. Some of the fighters mumbled nervous prayers to the gods and/or the sea-spirits. Men had to constantly scoop up water and dump it overboard. as that Sognpirate told us to do. Rain-water and spray-water and leak-water started filling the ship-bottoms. as well as by seabirds and sea-weed and clouds and fog and water-colour and fish-patterns. This was the first time that most of these men had sailed out of sight of land."a flock of Valkyries must be following us!" Some believed him. "Odin guide us. It stretched its wide dark wings. some didn't. Its smart. The steersmen guided the ships by the wind and sun and stars. and there was nothing but water on all sides."
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. They were still sailing south-west. "You're sure that this is the way to Pictland?" Halfdan asked. We could check for land with a raven?" "Fine. But the storm had blown them an unknown distance south. wind wailed. Halfdan looked at the grey and brown masses. Halfdan had never done it before. and (being land-birds) would always immediately fly towards it. "So the closest land is that way. find out where he's going. What do you say?" Halfdan said. The steersman of Wave-Jumper said frankly. The bird hopped out onto the deck. "AWK! AWK!" Then it hopped up and flapped its wings. studying at the men on the deck. "AWK!" said the raven. The steersman moved a raven-cage to the middle of the deck. "But there's no way to know if it's Pictland or not. On their third night on the open ocean. The storm could have blown us far past Pictland. rising high and higher into the cloudless sky. opening the door of the cage. Ravens were useful to navigation. and felt an urge to tell the steersman to turn the ship around. a strong storm hit from the north." the steersman said. the storm passed. or we can keep sailing south-west. that it was wrong to leave home for this adventure. changing directions at random." Halfdan said. "Follow the raven. It flew straight west." the steersman said. the familiar mountains of Norway sank into the horizon behind them.

with some areas cleared for farm-fields and scattered wooden buildings. And they saw. "Pictland is supposed to be made of many islands. Pictland or not. a short distance from the mainland. There was a small settlement on it. let's raid that place.pointing at the mainland. "There are folk living there. except one that looked built of stone. surrounded by a stick fence -." the steersman of Wave-Jumper said. Not one tiny island. the Norse-men saw a few small fishing-type ships near the shore. and a dock with a few small boats." The three war-ships sailed back east. the Norse war-ships found land. farm-fields. mostly covered with forests. all by itself. Halfdan pointed at the little island. The land-mass stretched north and south as far as the look-out's eyes could see. to hide on the far side of the horizon until nightfall.24: ODIN GUIDES THE SHIPS 200 Following the raven. "Do you think that island is Pictland?" Halfdan asked.
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. with a strange-looking roof)." he said.the Norsemen saw some buildings (all wooden. And the pirate did not mention any big continent" -. but enough to make it worthwhile. It was a large land-mass. "Not enough to put up much defence. a small island. From a distance. walkingpaths. "No.

Finally. nervous before their first raid. Haki laughed and said. for good luck. Halfdan opened his sea-box and took out a surprising-looking helmet. pretending that he was wearing a helmet with gigantic. "I like the helmet." Shrugging. Overhead." Halfdan said. drifting with lowered sails in the open water over the horizon. "I think they should be asleep by now. "To look fierce." Halfdan said. They waited. "What is that thing?" "My raiding-helmet. to make the ships harder to see from shore. "But this is a raid. I'm wearing it. except with moose-horns." "But they ruin the helmet. westwards." "I'd like a helmet like that. watching Halfdan from the corner of his eye." "Folk will try to run no matter what kind of helmet a raider wears.25: THE KILLING OF HAKI Waiting for darkness. rubbed fingers on soap-stone or clay idols of Tor. Put it on. In a battle. This helmet will help with that. In raiding." "Having sweet dreams. The helmet once belonged to him. "But why the horns?" Halfdan said. The other two ships followed. making panic is the main goal. Or walrus tusks!" Haki staggered around the cluttered deck. not a battle. A big fish splashed the surface. Most of them smeared blue paint around their eyes: raiding was a very special occasion. a full silver moon stared down. Halfdan said. Some young men. he was glum and quiet. the horn-points sticking up. They waited. men started putting on body-armour and helmets." Halfdan lifted the horned helmet and pushed it onto his curly hair. At sunset." "Let me see. A curved bull-horn was stuck onto each of its iron sides. Everybody laughed. stars slowly spun. It's not practical for fighting. Like always. The steersman of Wave-Jumper called for quiet rowing towards the western horizon. then for good luck. Except Venn. fighters sharpened and oiled the blades of their weapons. Baldur or Freyir. In the cloud-gaps. and folk would always scream and run away. practical or not. Halfdan said. Dark clouds slid across the sky. If not to scare folk. Haki said. He used to always wear it raiding." "I know. The bright sky-eye was reflected in the grey ripples of the Endless Ocean. He bared his teeth and glared fake-furiously." Haki grinned. equipment needs to be good. "King Lambi taught me this trick. "Amazing! You look just like a black troll!" Halfdan said.
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. The sails were kept down. heavy horns. If a sword hits one of those useless horns. the whole thing will be knocked off your head.

Everybody had an extra pair of shoes. the ax-handle trembled in his strong. except for steersmen and look-outs. windy night. was trembling and wide-eyed with fear and hope. sitting in the middle of the rowers. rowing. each man carried a torch and a coil of rope. Sten chewed on the edge of his shield. Three men carried ladders.Soon. All were silent. the steersmen of the three ships dropped anchors -willow-branch baskets full of stones.if they needed to get the ships away from the island quickly. Halfdan nodded. The torches were each as long as a man's leg. tipped with blobs of pine-tar. They could see a stretch of sandy beach on the south shore of the island. the helmet made a monstrous-looking shadow on the deck behind him. He feared violence. He hoped for a chance to kill Halfdan and disappear. The ships kept moving towards the island. or having to hurt somebody innocent. his round painted shield in his four-fingered left hand. In the moonlight. splashing into knee-deep water. before putting on a pair of dry shoes. hairy hands. they saw the dim island ahead. In his excitement. The nose of Wave-Jumper bit into crunchy beach-sand. panting with eagerness. To their left was an area thickly covered with bushes and trees. They left the wet shoes behind. a torch in the other. Haki and Sten jumped down behind him. who would stay behind to guard the ships and keep them ready for a fast escape. but over their whole faces. "You want to land there?" asked the steersman. not just around their eyes. Halfdan stood at the bow with his Eid-forged iron sword in his right hand. To their right. was a dim farm-field
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. Other fighters wore their shields on their backs. Halfdan jumped from the ship. Both berserkers wore bear-skins over their shoulders and had smeared blue paint. it looked subtly different from Norse forests. hanging around their neck by their laces. men would pull the anchor-ropes and drag their ships to sea. over a low hill. with the anchor-ropes spooling out behind them. The look-out of each ship used a length of string with a bronze weight to check the depth of the water as they moved. On the shore. Haki and his berserker cousin Sten were close behind Halfdan. a weapon in one hand. A cool. followed by all the fighters on all the ships. through the darkness. The beach ahead was empty. almost silently. This was another of King Lambi's old raiding-tricks -. and the odd horned helmet on his head. In addition to weapons and shield and armour and extra shoes. Venn. Haki was grinning widely. Behind brown-faced Halfdan and blue-faced Haki and Sten were the rest of the raiders. it was much faster than rowing. with wooden pieces sticking out to grip the seafloor. A short distance from shore. some of them almost as fiece-looking as their leaders. everybody sat on the sand to take off their wet shoes and dry their feet on a cloth. Halfdan and sixty-eight raiders walked fast up the dark beach to a wildflowercovered area. Haki did not have a shield.

empty room. the walls over them were smokeblackened. The settlement was a dozen or so wooden buildings that formed an uneven square around the larger. Haki and Sten were the first over. Why? Wide and level stone steps led to a small porch in front of the stone building's round-topped wooden doors. There was no furniture. the low wooden wall of the outlander settlement. No dogs. each about as tall as a man. the other a round-shaped top. Three ladders were leaned onto it. The stone building had a tall spire on top of it. On the other side of the empty room was an open door. The smell of wood-smoke and beast-shit. No sign of fire-light. And the flame-lit Norsemen charged towards the wall. They walked into a dark. They saw nobody at first. "Go!" Halfdan hissed. The floor was covered with wood planks joined closely together to make a smooth surface. which quickly started burning. Soon. These doors were framed by carved stone. Haki was about to swing his ax at the door when Halfdan said. There were two long and deep-set windows over the door. "Quiet!" They waited for the others to climb the ladders.covered with tidy rows of small sprouting plants. Halfdan was amazed to see that the roof of this building was made of metal. Halfdan led them towards the stone-walled building. "Wait. Halfdan. Halfdan whispered. On the walls were fastened a few small metal cages that looked like they were for holding torches. reflecting light like ice. No latch or key-hole on the door. One man used a flint and piece of iron to strike sparks onto some charred cloth. where he expected to find the settlement's leaders.
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. tipped by a decoration shaped like a "". Did folk here also worship the thunder-god? The raiders ran in torch-light towards the building. and then the fire was passed from torch to torch until all were burning. They took the path. There was a path between the forest and the farm-land. The symbol of Tor? Many of the Norsemen had idols in that shape hanging from their necks. one torch was lit from this fire. One window had a square-shaped top. The Norsemen did not recognize the growing crop." He pushed the door and it opened. depicting twisted leafy vines and odd-looking folk with wings growing from their backs. The raiders stayed in the shadows of the forest to light the torches. The walls were perfectly smooth and painted white. and three lines of men flowed up the ladders and jumped down inside. stone-walled. Something covering the windows glittered oddly in the torchlight. Haki was growling in his throat. strangeroofed building he had noticed earlier. No open windows or doors.

flowing clothes and standing among images of clouds and blue sky and odd symbols. Halfdan realized that the thing attached to the big "" at the far end of the room was a statue of an almost-naked man. statues and objects of unknown purpose. Unlike most Norse-folk. This seemed a sign that Venn had made
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. made of wooden beams nailed together. He said." "Fine. blue-eyed woman. deal with them. jumping down from the stage (with a gold candle-holder stuffed into his belt). listened to the noise in amazement. It was the exact same clanging noise that he had been hearing in his ears ever since the river-battle! But now. One winged painting-man held a flaming sword in one hand. And. Haki ran to the stage and jumped up. suddenly. Venn. It made him nervous." Haki said. hanging over the stage. the eyes of most of the picture-folk were brown.covered with very odd-shaped furniture. The sound filled the night with clanging noise. brown-eyed man's head was surrounded by a circle of bright yellow paint. they heard a loud metallic clanging noise from one of the other buildings. then come back here for loot. Halfdan walked deeper into the room.Through this door was another room -. At the far end of the room was a raised stage -. Even kings and the richest nobles rarely owned more than one or two items made of this almost-priceless metal. the unnerving eyes seemed to follow him. The eyes of the man-statue stared at Halfdan. The baby was holding another of those "T"symbols. Some of the folk in the pictures had bare feet and had big white wings growing from their backs. holding a brown-eyed baby in her arms. shocked. "There's nobody here. was another "T"-symbol -. in a tiny fist.this one taller than a tall man. "Odin's eye! Look at all this silver! And gold too!" Gold was very rare in Norway. Who was depicted here? Demons? The largest picture in the long room was of a blue-robed. Who was this man? Why did this room have such a big statue of a torture-victim? Was he a sacrifice to Tor? Halfdan did not like this place. When Halfdan moved to one side. brighter than any paints used in Norway. a "T"-symbol in the other. The brown-haired. and most had brown hair. depicting men and women wearing strange. Some were kneeling. hanging by its hands from the tips of the crossbeam.an amazing room! The smooth walls and the high ceiling were painted in bright colours.like a king's feasting-platform in a hall -. As they stepped out of the building. A tall. Let's find the folk first. A giant cup made of stone. candle-holders. saying. Drops of red paint dribbled down the statue's forehead. flowing down from the statue's hands. He ordered everybody back outside. Splashes of red paint looked like fresh blood. Something big and white was attached to it. everybody else could hear it too! Venn giggled. Haki had never seen so much gold in his life: cups. Some were raising their arms. narrow table. All the picture-folk had yellow circles painted around their heads.

" Haki said. In a heavy. Haki turned to say to his cousin behind him. She wore plain grey clothes. the young woman said. sitting a distance from all of the other buildings. and Haki in the doorway turned back to look at the young woman. that revenge for Torvald was near! Halfdan shouted. Inside. she said. I won't be long. "No need to be quiet anymore. I will give you sex for free. "Leave me alone. frightened looking woman with brown hair and freckles was standing by the edge of a bed. He had been expecting screams by now. She looked about twenty-five years old. please. The young woman said. No face-paint." Haki said. Now the only light in the room was from the flickering and smoky torch held over Haki's helmet. "Leave me alone here for a while. bizarre accent. Her brown eyes were open but not directed towards Haki standing in the doorway. But she did. A whore? With her eyes still not looking directly at him.the right decision. Haki chopped twice at the wood door. a great hero and berserker from a northern land. the young woman said. "Good evening. "They locked me here for being a whore. A sign from the gods. He stepped towards her and the unmade bed. breaking it into falling pieces. not caring if she understood the Norse tongue." "Why are you here?" After another pause. a short hallway led to another door. Go! Now!" Sten and the other fighters left." And she laughed. pushed open the door and carried his sizzling pine-sap torch inside." and stepped into the room. "How do you want me?"
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. A young. "What is this place? A jail?" After a pause. Do you want to be my friend?" He closed the door behind him. It's a kind of jail. Haki lifted the door-latch. I'm Haki. "Who are you?" Haki said. Haki was confused." Haki noticed that there were no windows. Then he stopped." "A whore! A whore?" "Yes.but from the outside. handing his torch to Sten." "Then don't tell him. the young woman said. The door was locked from the inside. "What do you want?" "Friendship. So there is no need to force yourself on me. "Yes. A "T"-shaped symbol hung from a string on the grey bib covering her chest. with a grey scarf tied tightly over her head. She had not moved. "It's an alarm! We've been seen! We're going to split into groups and each take a building!" He ordered Haki and Sten and six other Fjordane-fighters to one of the smaller buildings. "Halfdan won't be pleased if he hears. his blue-painted face split into a wide grin. Go to the next building and wait for me there. It was also locked -. Haki's group ran with their torches and weapons to that building. volunteering to join this adventure." Sten said. "A friend. smiling.

"Any way I want. No reaction. by the bed. His pants were on the floor. When her underpants fell. Holding his torch overhead with his left hand." She walked to other side of the small room. she shivered slightly. looking surprised. The blind. she did not move or glance at it. But she bent. you hero from the north. it looked fake."May I use the pottie?" "What?" Haki didn't understand the word "pottie". she was naked. "Can't you see?" "Not very well. Light hurts my eyes. beast-shaped beltbuckle." "They locked you alone here in the dark just for being a whore?" "Yes. he used his right to open his silver. Just until my eyes get used to the light. "Fine. Only when he touched the sharp edge of the battle-ax to the tip of her freckled nose did she pull her face back. Because we love giving pleasure to men. I have been here in the dark for so long that my eyes have forgotten light. Haki said. Haki expected her to sit on the bucket to piss." "Not forever. Everything looks like it's in a snow-storm." She took a step towards his voice. His part was thin and half-limp.in a childish-sounding voice -. Should I take off my clothes now?" Haki laughed. "Anything to please you.
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. "What are you doing?" he said." He stepped to the bed and laid his ax onto the messy grey blankets." "You are blind. Her body was thin and pale. one pant-leg wrapped around an ankle. seeming to not even notice the huge ax on his shoulder. with narrow hips framing a triangle of wild brown hair. Haki. to a wooden bucket resting on the dirt floor. But she still did not show much fear. He took the ax from his shoulder and moved the blade towards the young woman's face. She stepped closer to him. folk here hate whores. I was famous for my skill in sex. "Can I piss?" "Yeah. She walked fast towards the sound of his heavy breathing. gleaming iron neared her face. What was wrong with her? Haki scowled. the outlander-woman felt the heat of the torch that Haki held overhead. whore. grabbed the half-full bucket with both hands and turned to face Haki." She smiled. was lowering his pants with his free hand. On the skin of her face. of course. As the oiled. The young woman started unbuttoning her clothes and dropping them to the floor. naked outlander woman said -. show me your skills. It was beside a small pile of clean hand-cloths and a small wicker box half-full of dirty ones. saying.

trying to touch something. She threw the stool at the sound of his feet. Where was the door? Where were the walls? Where were the pieces of furniture: the little table and the three-legged stool? He took a few uncertain steps forward. "Crazy whore!" Haki bellowed. The piss reeked. hitting nothing. keeping herself just out of the reach of his clumsy and panicked ax-swings. Blackness. felt cool liquid dribbling down his left arm. The stale body-water flew out of the bucket and splashed onto the torch." He lunged and swung the ax again in the direction of her voice. and crashed to the ground. the young woman silently kneeled by his head. Haki felt fear. He shouted. this
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. And will stay this way. She had lived here in the dark for over six months (except for a brief meeting outside with a local religious leader) and she did not need her eyes to help her move around the memorized room. On it was a steel-toothed comb with an oak-wood handle. Where was the girl? She'd tricked him. she hunted him." She silently moved somewhere else. The handle of the comb was sharp enough to use to hurt. with the handle sticking down. He lay on one side. "I'm a virgin. "I'll find you!" "Better to find Christ!" "What?" He waved his arms around. "Bitch! I'll kill you!" He thought that he heard a sound to his right. as she had hoped. whore!" The young woman hissed. Haki. His ax fell from his grip. stunned and disoriented and so scared. shocked. hitting the side of his face on the hard dirt-floor. He lunged that way and swung his ax. It stabbed in his bearded cheek. with no way of knowing that she was now so close. but again hit nothing. she picked up the three-legged stool. She held the teeth of the comb in her small hand. dropping the piss-wet torch. They were both blind now. With her other hand. The famous berserker was terrified. "You are crazy. As Haki hunted her. She silently circled around Haki. trying to remember the room's lay-out. She pulled the comb back and stabbed down again.She heaved the bucket at Haki's torch. She heard his clumsy footsteps pass. She stabbed the sharp comb-handle over the sound of his breathing. picking up his ax from the unseen bed. "Scared of the dark? I'm used to it. She moved around the room without any noise. The heavy blade swished through the darkness. everywhere he looked. Her voice said. Haki tripped on the stool. The outlander moved towards the small table. For the first time in many years. Before he could recover. Complete darkness. Her hearing and other senses were much stronger than before she had been put here. grunting in pain.

"Mother Mary.
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. the comb-handle held by the side of her head. close. This time.time plunging the sharp handle deep into a rolling eye. hurting her ears with its loudness. wet flesh and Haki grunted once. Something warm squirted all over her hand. wet hands." "It really hurts. She hissed. sobbing warm tears into her small. in her odd outlander accent. Haki screamed. covering her face with both hands. she stabbed under the sound of his breathing. "You forced me to this. She heard his breathing. she crawled silently towards him. part of one of his fists hit the top of her head. holding his hands over his punctured eye and torn cheek. painfully knocking her down. Seeking after her." Leoba said. When she heard Haki's arms and legs stop flailing." he groaned. As the young woman crawled backwards away." she said. "Sorry. as he lashed his arms and legs in all directions. forgive me. The oak-wood spike poked deep into his neck and she twisted it viciously into the soft. dropping the comb.

Sister Wilthburga. nor was it ever imagined that such an attack from the sea could be made. trampled by the polluted steps of pagan fiends. I was awoken by Sister Wilthburga.a date of infamy which shall. that question never departs. On the evening of June 8 -. or drowned in attempting to escape the island. or. or dragged in chains. which seem so senseless. Terrible news! Lindisfarne has been destroyed by barbarians from the North. after final Mass. most tragically. to my office and sleeping-chamber.26: TETTA WRITES TO ALCUIN * June 23. and fiery dragons were seen flying in the air. The north-men came like stinging hornets and spread on all sides like fearful wolves.terrible portents were seen all over Northumbria." I read and read again: "It is through tribulations that we may enter of the Kingdom of God. spattered with the blood of the brides of God. I made sure that all the nuns were in the dormitorium.brutally. driven to the sin of suicide. naked and loaded with insults. and then proceeded with my assistant.O. why? I seek understanding in the words of Holy Scripture: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous man. but the Lord shall deliver him from them all. has inexplicably extinguished a humble community devoted to praising and obeying Him. or of any
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. to the ships of the northmen. each bearing flame. (So many credible people have reported these sinister signs that they ought not be dismissed as superstition. trampled on the bodies of Saints in God's temple like animal dung in the street. mercilessly butchered. from the depths of immeasurable distress. During the third hour of the night. Despite the distress and disorder of my mind. my best-beloved: Tetta. sends a desperate appeal. surely.to answer: O. we went through our accustomed routines. stripped of its ornaments. but as unheeded warnings from Heaven. watching hundreds of strangers.behold with pity and tears the shrine of Saint Cuthbert. how can I rejoice that heathens have desecrated God's sanctuaries with slaughter and outrage. violating. Why? In my pain and confusion. miserably frightening the people: whirlwinds swirled across the land. committing sacrilege everywhere. who informed me that she had seen men outside. I owe you a duty to describe in this letter all I witnessed. burned the house of our hope. perhaps you can find a meaning in these miserable events. robbing. and never before has such terror appeared here as we have now suffered. I saw that she was correct -. At the window. yet stoops to hear the cries of the lowly -. once felt by the wretched and proud sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah.) Blind to the approaching danger. My heart aches to remember my martyred sisters -. I beg God -. ripping and slaughtering my flock of virgin scholars! Alcuin -. Year of our Lord 793 To Alcuin of York.who is so high above us. immense sheets of lightning filled the skies. poured the blood of Saints around the altar. what horror. within fire-black walls once graced by Northumbria's finest art! A place more venerable than all in England was the prey of pagan wretches. so let us rejoice in our tribulations. scrambling over the convent walls! These were obviously not troops of King Aethelred. It has been nearly 350 years that we and our ancestors have inhabited England." Yet. God's righteous wrath. be never forgotten -. Why? Without cease.

Northumbrian knight -.some of the pagans actually wore helmets with horns sticking up. Sister Wilthburga and I ran from shadow to shadow towards it. gained the strength of Samson. we slipped inside through the side chapel-door. Pagans ran after us! I welcomed death.sliding the stone slab from the top of his crypt was normally a job for six nuns. even the lives of nuns.yet. We had been seen. We had to flee. but for that of our precious burden. both of my hands could grip the ancient pine-wood casket. running at the home of Saint Cuthbert! Resisting panic. and we were able to wrench the heavy slab away. it proved -. in reaching down into the crypt to grip the famous casket and lift it out. Except for a single candlestick taken from the altar. We carried the relics from shadow to shadow. we found that nothing in the church had been looted -. as we opened the latch. No. at any cost. Hearing the sound of weapons striking at the door to my office. I stopped ringing it. from the unholy hands of pagans: the Gospels of Saint Cuthbert. domestic and scholastic supplies may be replenished. as a passage to Paradise.correctly. and we were only two. the invaders had already penetrated the sanctity of Cuthbert's temple. We had to put Saint Cuthbert onto the ground. With the gospel-book hidden inside my shirt. It was surprisingly light.that the invaders would search every building in the convent for valuables. It was fear of their pollution at the hands of pagans that filled my soul with
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. Sister Wilthburga urged that we hide. for a moment.their weapons and clothes were so strange and crude. Sister Wilthburga and I slipped fruit-knives into our stockings and climbed out the bedroom window and hid in the bushes beneath. we saw only a few of the pagan warriors outside. But I guessed -. and his remains. I had devoted my life to preserving Saint Cuthbert's holy remains and studying the exquisite painted pages of his Gospel. and then set them all afire. were of infinitely less worth than those sacred items from our Church's earliest history. It was an instant to take up the gospel-book. I hope that you may never learn to despise me. At the side chapel-door. Yet the feeble arms of elderly women. and I suspect that the spirit of Saint Cuthbert himself miraculously assisted us. Two items needed to be secured. Silver and gold ornaments may be replaced. and they were far enough away that we might slip out unobserved. When Sister Wilthburga observed that a group of the pagans was approaching our building. (Tetta the hypocrite -.for I had lectured my nuns many times about the virtues of tidiness and order! Alcuin. that I have never before seen the like -. and I confess to my shame and regret that I could not remember where I had put it. as if to imitate the Devil! There were hundreds (if not thousands) of pagan warriors with torches and weapons. which were in clear view of the courtyard and most of the other buildings. We searched for it frantically. Sister Wilthburga and I searched our bed-chamber for the alarmbell. each so precious and pure. and reached one of the gates of the convent wall.) By this time. until Sister Wilthburga located the bell under a pile of manuscripts. A barbarous shout from behind us. Not daring to enter by the front doors. I stuck my arm out the window and started ringing the bell. the fear that struck me then was not for my own personal safety. We had never had a need to use it before. but rescuing Saint Cuthbert was a challenge -. Our strength was further tested. Seeing that all of the attackers had left the area of the church.

The strongest proof that these invaders were devils. hearing the fearsome sounds of pursuit behind." "Then I embrace martyrdom!" As the evil horned-one approached me. Most shocking of all -.would. I was willing to spoil the superficial appearance of my face.I shudder to remember! -. leave this holy sanctuary!" The black devil snarled. that I never see such a man again! If it was even a man. is it possible that these people were Germans?) We reached the beach. spilling Saint Cuthbert's desiccated legs and hips onto the beach sand! The sacred bones and clothing-shreds of the first evangelist to England. surely feel some degree of pity. He wore a helmet with terrifying horns. Barbarous yells and curses filled the dark forest! (The north-men use a language like English. bearing Cuthbert's ancient coffin as if it weighed less than a basket of dry laundry. Devils or men. but these monsters laughed. Some barbarians were heard referring to a home-land "back in the North". along a trail to the beach." I said. Some words were completely foreign. Give me whatever you have hidden in your shirt. She dropped her end of the casket to the beach-sand and -. I have never seen men of this kind before. there is no doubt that they were all inspired by the Fallen ArchFiend of Darkness. Most were blonde-haired and pale of skin." "Never!" "Do as I say or die. but with strange pronunciation and an ugly. harsh accept. like her. but others were darker than Beelzebub. until Sister Wilthburga (who was behind me. dumped onto the sand and sea-shells before my very eyes! With one hand. Alcuin. "By Cuthbert. heading toward the dock and the fishing-boats. hoping for a miracle to save us. I pulled the knife from my stocking and held it to my nose. "He's slowing us down. and like the other invaders. but I could understand most of their speech. I offered a quick prayer to Saint Agatha and briskly sliced away the tip of my nose. to discourage forcible ravishment.no matter how callous and hard-hearted -.O. crude purple make-up was barbarously applied around his cruel eyes. "Put down the knife. It fell to the beach-sand. my attention was captured by their leader -. not men. "Never! Have faith in the Lord!" And so we ran. on seeing an aged Abbess cut off her nose in defence of her honour. But soon after we left the shadows of the forest. I had remembered the example of Saint Agatha. "We have to drop the Saint!" Wilthburga cried. not a devil. our pursuers burst out after us. perhaps even regret. snatching away the unused knife in her stocking. holding the foot of the casket) was seized from behind.
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.the sacred container broke open. They hurled Sister Wilthburga roughly to the sand. and hair hung from his head like the twisted tresses of Medusa! Was this creature a man or a devil? To this day. I cannot decide. and with the other. We fled with our Saint.the skin of his face and body was as black as the accursed hide of Lucifer. followed by a shower of my life-blood. I clutched the Gospels concealed under my shirt.panic and my body with a desperate energy! We ran through the gate. "Leave us!" I commanded. consists of their reaction to my facial sacrifice: any man of flesh and blood -. Surrounded by seven or eight of the armed pagans. Christ and Mary and the Apostles.

tossing aside the pages of divine content. "Odin must be laughing now too!" They all howled with mockery. with so much blood flowing down into my mouth. where we have remained since. "That's the craziest thing I've seen!" Another of the Godless crowd crowed. reached roughly in my shirt -. As an epilogue. Yet. A barbarian asked of their horrifying-looking leader. knocking the air from me.and they yanked away the precious Gospels of our True Faith! I tried to take it back. with all proper rituals and blessings and dignity. "I think she wants that thing" -. They seized me.where no male hand had been before (except yours. leaving Saint Cuthbert and myself both sprawled on the dark sand. four of the surviving nuns died later -. placed
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. There were only 12. "Back! Or I will cut off more!" That threat only increased their devilish mirth." the leader said. dragging away poor Sister Wilthburga by a rope to her neck. I spent the night on that beach. From Bambury.two of their wounds. from the burning buildings of our lost home. And then the group left. irreplaceable pages. leave her. soon replaced by outrage when I saw the leader ripping away the richly-decorated covers of the manuscript! Rejecting in his ignorance the words and Truth inside. pained greatly in my face and my abdomen. including me. with outstretched arms. "The Gospels. He frowned in bafflement. he tore off the gems and hammered gold of the book's famous cover. "Who would want to buy a crazy old slave with no nose?" I appealed to him. The edge of it forcibly impacted on my abdomen. The leader said. the illiterate) and started to flip through its famous." He opened the Gospels (upside-down.I saw them gripping their own bellies with mirth and merriment. We survivors were taken to the king's court at Bambury. so long ago) -. we were transported to the monastery at Jarrow. "Take this one to the ships too?" "No. "She does have a sense of humour. Tragically. who were searching the island for survivors. I saw the sky start to glow orange. gasping. let me tell you of what followed. I survived to be discovered the next day by horsemen of King Aethelred. Over the tree-tops. He kept the front and back covers. I felt a surge of relief. "Sacred! Sacred! It is sacred!" But to no avail. You will be relieved to learn that the casket of Saint Cuthbert has been repaired and his re-assembled remains. I fell. The leader said. and was about to slice deeply into the wrinkled skin. I held the little knife to my cheek. It was hard to breathe. "We don't need this.gesturing at the Holy book. sure that I would die from my wounds before the light of dawn. where we were made to describe our ordeal again and again to the king and his knights and Bishop Higbold. when one of the north-men threw a shield at me. but I managed to shout." he said. howling with amusement at my action. and two (deranged by their loss of virginity) at their own hands. even in my pained condition. Give me back the sacred Gospels of revered Cuthbert!" "What?" One nearby north-man said. by the grace of the Virgin and Son.

back in. Despite the loss of its precious covers, the Gospels are undamaged, except for a bit of water-damage on one corner, from resting in a puddle. The doctors say that what remains of my nose is healing well. I have never been vain of my looks, but I must admit that I sometimes shudder when I look into a mirror. People sometimes point and stare at me. Only you, brother of the spirit, could see past my disfigurement and perceive the face of my youth, as I so remember your dear face from long-ago times. News is scarce here, and I am naive in worldly things, but I will tell you what I have learned since coming here. There have been no more raids, yet the entire nation is on the highest alert. I have been informed that King Aethelred, who was greatly lacking in popularity until recently, has been hailed by all Northumbrians for his wise and decisive actions in the days following the Lindisfarne disaster. New military defences are being prepared, I am informed, to prevent any future incursions from the sea. King Aethelred has travelled around the kingdom, making speech after eloquent speech, demanding fortitude and strength, promising to deter the north-men. He said, "We must stand manfully, fight bravely and defend the camp of God." He counsels against despair or panic, declaring that if we change our traditional ways in reaction to the disaster, then the barbarians will have won. Perhaps they have already won. Dearest Alcuin, please forgive what I must confess -- the shock of my experiences has changed my character so much that I now embrace practices I once scorned. You know my life-long contempt for primitive superstition, the fanciful "magic" of ignorant peasants. Now, I am proved a hypocrite again, for at night, when it is time for me to rake up the coals in the fire in my room -- I use the poker to scrape an "X" in the glowing ashes, in hopes that doing so will protect me from fire. I know that this archaic folk-ritual, a lingering remnant of paganism, is forbidden -- yet doing so comforts me, and I have not strength to resist. Does that make me a heretic? Is my soul in a new hazard? Is attempting magic a venal sin or a mortal one? I have nobody but you to ask, my trusted oblate. Bishop Higbold seems, as well, to have been changed by the disaster at Lindisfarne. He was once the most worldly of priests, notorious for his gaudy clothes and feasting, but he seems to have interpreted the disaster as a personal message from God. I am told that he now lives humbly, dressing in accordance with Chapter LV of Benedict's Rules -- "Worry not about the colour or the texture of these things, but let them wear what can be bought most cheaply ... It is sufficient to have two tunics and two cowls" -and I am told he now dines in full compliance with Chapter XXVI: "Let a pound of bread be sufficient food for the day ... Let all except the very weak and the sick abstain altogether from eating the flesh of animals." Bishop Higbold preaches, even to knights and King Aethelred himself, that the only effective defences are spiritual. I am told that he insists that no Christian should handle weapons of war, it is better to throw ourselves on Christ's mercy. He quotes a passage from Saint Paul, "When I am weak, then I am strong." He compares the northmen to a contagious disease, and asks if an epidemic can be avoided by flight or fought off with weapons? "We declare that to be utterly foolish," I heard him say in the presence of King Aethelred and many knights. "None can escape the hand of God. None can predict their

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hour of reckoning. Doomsday comes to all as a thief in the night. So repent, take refuge in prayer, despise this world, hope only for Heaven." Bishop Higbold's new-found piety has apparently not endeared him to King Aethelred or the nobility. I have heard rumours that Higbold may be forced from office and replaced by Aethelred's brother-in-law, Aelbert. In short, all is confusion in Northumbria. Our land's people are used to political crisis, and to aggression from across the borders we share with Wessex and Scotland and Pictland, but this surpasses all. It is not only I who wonders, unceasingly, why did God make this happen? Was this divine retribution, for the slack morals of our people? Look at our King: until recently, he was known mostly for his evil habits and contempt for justice. Look at our politics: so many murders and rebellions and bribery and corruption and defiance of the Church. Look at our appearance: inspired by fashion, the popular hairstyles and clothes are both reckless and unholy. Look at our bishops, owning gold goblets and huge estates of land; look at our priests, wearing silk outfits and eating sugar with a spoon; look at some of our nunneries, those that mainly exist as a refuge for noble women abandoned by husbands or widowed; look at vagabond monks selling fake relics to the gullible; look at a population that claims to be Christian, yet rarely attends church other than for sickness-cures, weddings and funerals. Did the sins of Northumbria invite this disaster? Did my own? Alcuin, I have need of your wise counsel, more than ever in the past. Despite hearing the (contradictory) assurances of King Aethelred and Bishop Higbold, I spend my nights wracked in fear of another attack of north-men, with wailing captives and sacred buildings pouring out flames, here at the Jarrow monastery. How can I assume safety here? What security can be found anywhere in England, if Saint Cuthbert could not protect his own temple? If the Second Coming is at hand, will I -- most-guilty sinner -- be left behind, as I deserve? I often think about my devastated nunnery, and often my thoughts fill with a strange, melancholy notion. As you know, the walls of our church at Lindisfarne were made of stone that had been quarried from an ancient Roman ruin. I ponder how, before our race arrived here, this land was ruled by Romans, worshipping Roman gods. Then the Romans disappeared, leaving nothing but crumbling ruins behind. Could that happen to our society here? Was the attack on Lindisfarne merely the first drop of a great torrent that will someday wash away, forever, all that we know and cherish? Is that God's plan? I feel lost and bewildered and heart-sore! With my sisters nearly all slaughtered or enslaved, I am so lonely! Sometimes I imagine the fate of Sister Wilthburga (who was my closest confidante) and the other captured girls and women, in some barbarous pagan land, suffering unspeakable indignities, and I shudder with the deepest of revulsion and regret! I feel unable to continue my duties to God, after such calamity and woe. O, my friend, I need you here! You have been in Germany so long, with such distinction -- serving the Church, advising King Charlemagne on a new education system, converting thousands of souls -- that surely you have earned a rest. In the light of Northumbria's need for spiritual guidance in this most trying of times, and in light of my personal desire for you, could you not ask of His Holiness permission to return home, if only briefly?

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More than anything, I yearn to clasp your strong hands, gaze into your eyes, and pour into your ears all of the troubles of my tormented soul. Alcuin, only you can save me from utter despair -- please, return to Northumbria, and me! If I were before you now, on bended knee and with floods of tears, my obvious and wretched need would compel your pity. Let not the distance between us keep your heart hard to my frantic appeal; let our shared past, our marriage of the spirit, draw you here with the speed of angels! If your answer is negative, and you are unable to leave your evangelical duties to attend to a friend in distress, if all that we have shared is not enough to bring you briefly home, then at least offer your prayers for our people. Beg the All-Mighty Lord -- as I beg you -- from the fury of the north-men, deliver us! Tetta Translator's Note: If Alcuin wrote a reply, it has not been preserved. A letter from Bishop Higbold to Pope Hadrian (recently discovered in the Vatican library) suggests that Alcuin visited England in the fall of 793 or the spring of 794, returning to Germany after a few months. There is no evidence as to whether or not Alcuin and Tetta met during this time. No further correspondence between them has been uncovered to date.

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Leoba had been made to sit on the swaying deck of one of the strange. to many innocent women. surrounded by piles of outlandish treasure. They were lying all over the settlement. The captives on the two other ships were not as lucky. In panic. As Venn worked. He had done bad things to them too. then tried to pour water in the mouths of the tied-up women. using a chisel to pry gems out of stolen items. Watched the spreading red puddle.27: VENN'S REVENGE The three loot-loaded ships sailed east over the horizon. "doubt any of the other bitches will resist after seeing that! Good work!" Venn saw many dead and dying women as he ran around. lit by the glow of burning buildings. When the Norse raiding-fleet had rowed and sailed far enough away. many with clothes ripped off -. green stones. then hurt captives. following orders. Halfdan strongly disapproved of rape. He remembered an English-woman who had refused to let him put a rope around her neck. The officer congratulated Venn. Watched her crumple to the floor. A fighter sitting near Venn separated the few gold items from the many made of silver. The loot would be divided equally when they got safely home. They were surrounded by rowing men who grunted and jerked their bodies forward and back again and again as the long oars (along with the sail) sped the ships east. Venn had to do something. glittering transparent ones. he had stabbed his spear into the babbling woman's belly. though all were thirsty. putting the gold in a leather bag. The gems and the pieces of gold were the most exciting parts of the raid-profits. agonized thoughts. "T"shaped objects. Venn and a few other fighters were told to count and organize the loot.memories of the raid. Venn had seen many terrible things happen. weeping. with each falling little stone making a clink! noise as it was dropped in. She and nine other nuns were tied together in pairs. The gems went in a small iron box. wailing. The silver and the women were much less valuable than the gold and gems. narrow ships. slapping at Venn's hands whenever he reached for her. frames and book-covers. his mind swirled with confused.
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. Except for the amber. so the English-women on Wave-Jumper were mostly left alone. his mind filled with wildly-flashing images -.pale arms and legs and fear-twisted faces. most would not drink any. He could not think of only one thing at a time. Watched the life in her eyes go away. candle-holders. the red-orange glow of flames staining the cloudy western sky. An officer had been watching. to stop any of them from slipping their ropes and jumping into the sea. back to back. He chiselled gems from cups. she had cringed in a corner of a sleeping-room. It was messily piled on the rear of Wave-Jumper's deck. the oars went onto the racks and Halfdan gave tasks to the Norsemen. One man with skill in healing was told to care for hurt fighters first. Two of the fighters were told to guard the captives. Venn sat on the rear-deck. they were obviously very precious. the Norsemen had never seen gems like these before -. dropping gem after gem into the iron box.red stones. sitting in the middle of Wave-Jumper's deck. Other fighters gave food and cups of drinking-water to the men. the island sinking behind them.

her thick accent sounding very odd to Halfdan -. Venn smiled in the darkness when thinking about Haki. the berserk bully was now only splattered grease and ashes. Most of the nuns refused to talk to him." Halfdan said. "You are free. a captive had explained that these odd-looking things recorded facts (like Norse runes carved in wood or bone) and were called "books". When all the captives had been roped together neck-to-neck. and the full red-and-white sails sped them homewards. with envy. always heard. As Venn and the other raiders now did their tasks. Although Venn had hated Haki.were shocked and saddened. his famous luck had finally betrayed him. Chanting a traditional death-poem. eagle-like bird trapped inside. as the huntingbirds rose into the smoke-filled sky. Another nice memory from the raid -. You should have just let him have his way. Some tried but were too scared to make sense. decorated and stitched together in piles. The birds had ribbons hanging from their scaly legs. now empty of treasure." he had whispered. the books burst into swirling flames and the flames reached up to Haki." "I'm a virgin. "You killed my friend. Halfdan had opened a clay jar full of a strange-smelling yellow oil. in a building where Haki had been left alone with a girl. dead from stabs to his face and neck.Venn had found four cages in a room. then had touched a torch-tip to the oil-soaked books. Halfdan told men to pull Haki's pants on and drag the heavy body from its killing-place to the big. Haki was the only raider who had been killed or seriously hurt. Halfdan questioned the captives. and I'd have punished him when I found out. "I was protecting myself. Haki's body was taken into the big. and all the buildings searched for valuables. many other raiders -. Fire crawled across the pages. as fate has decided. each with a small.especially Sten and Halfdan -. stone-walled building. heading for a life of slavery. The girl was not in the room when Haki was found. When Halfdan crouched in front of Leoba." Leoba -. The memories that stabbed into his mind were not all bad. crazily-decorated room. "From rape?" She nodded. He had poured all the oil over Haki and the pyre. metal-roofed building. Haki's body had been placed on a big pile of books in the middle of the stone-walled. over the continuous clanging noise in his ears. and was happy to learn of his end.said. "Killing him did you no good. but she had been caught later and recognized by Sten. she was the only one who faced him and met his eyes and showed little fear. Sten had found his berserker cousin. He still wore the odd horned helmet. far from his place of birth. smiling. one by one. Venn had opened each of the cages and had watched. "Is that why all you women were living there together? You couldn't find husbands?"
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. One of the other buildings had been full of odd items made of thin sheets of beast-skin. you still ended up here. Before the thick smoke had forced the crowd of Norsemen to leave the building. as the eagle-like birds flew away.Venn winced at the memories. soon blackening the bare skin and making a sizzling noise that Venn now remembered with joy." Halfdan said. Venn grinned wider. Halfdan said. and his lips moved silently as he tried to explain his actions to the voices he heard. Halfdan said.

Like I said. What's your name?" "Leoba." Halfdan sneered." "Why are you so dark. With the eye he has left. because he doesn't care if we live or die." "And you can love a god like that?" "Love? Of course I don't love Odin. but only for his amusement. mean and distant. and sometimes Odin goes berserk. staring down at the oak deck. Eyes suddenly full of fear. You English-folk babble so much about your gods that you all sound crazy. his cousins and father-in-law too -. I would never call on him for help in danger. why did you resist?" Leoba said nothing." "Our God is real and powerful. After Halfdan had learned enough.just how we act." "If it was his will for Haki to rape you. "You are different from the other girls. "Have you met any other Nubian people?"
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. his father. Leoba said. "I don't want to hear any more about Christ. Since you killed my friend. Odin doesn't care about how we feel down here -." Halfdan stood. But after a successful raid. but all the other English-women will definitely be sold. "The strongest god is Odin. He is crazy. said. Call your Christ to help you now. hoping it would give him wisdom. "You look different from the others. Unlike the other nuns. If yours were stronger. "Our gods are stronger than yours. He doesn't expect our love. "Are we really going to be sold as slaves in your land?" "I haven't decided about you. He poked out one of his own eyes." "What about me?" "You might become a slave. "Wait!" Halfdan turned. does not care about our thoughts or feelings. maybe I will choose you for that. He is far away." "'Pagan'?" "Somebody who is ignorant of true religion.not out of love. not like your filthy pagan idols. "Thanks for answering my questions. "I am Halfdan of Os. Halfdan said. Where are you from?" "Norway. and his sacrifices are the unlucky dead."I have a husband: Christ. he said. Leoba was both well-informed about such issues and calm enough to answer his questions." Halfdan said. then?" He briefly explained his parentage. Leoba said. We don't build temples for him -.his temples are battle-fields. He likes to see bravery and bloodshed and any kind of slaughter." Halfdan started questioning Leoba about the military and political situation in Northumbria." and started walking away. Odin watches folk from the sky -." Leoba said." Halfdan rolled his eyes and said.where are they now?" "This is all happening with God's will. our gods like it when we drown at least one captive in our sacred swamp. Call for his mother. "What?" Leoba. they would have stopped the raid. desperate to talk her way out of danger. A doomed soul. said.

Halfdan grinned." She glanced over the side of the ship. other giant pigs with a shell on the back like a turtle and a horn growing from the nose. South of Italia is a sea. "Have you heard of Germany before?" "Yes."Just my mother." "Only if you promise to set me free. and the farther south one goes. Choppy waves of blue-grey water stretched to the horizons in all directions." she said. horses with necks much longer than this ship." "Set me free when we reach land. "I don't believe she was Christian. giants pigs that float in rivers. Cats as big as bears. just like me and my sisters. But I'm honest." Leoba said. if you tell me something interesting about Nubia." "Let me hear you promise. And I know nothing about her but what old folk say. I've studied geography and I know exactly where Nubia is. Leoba said." "I vow by all the gods that." "Fine. South of Egypt is Nubia. and real dragons. watching us here on earth?" Halfdan said nothing. "Clever girl. "I know a lot more than that."
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. I'll set you free. With the books." "There are maps in England showing how to get to Nubia?" "There were maps in the place you raided. "Do you think your mother is proud of what you've done?" Halfdan said. but not dark skin. The maps were burned with your dead rapist friend. What I know about Nubia." "What about the folk?" Leoba took a deep breath. Africans are darkskinned. South of this sea is a land called Egypt. "Your mother must have been a Christian. "Nubia is a Christian land. if you tell me something interesting. To your gods. He wrote that the sun in Africa is so strong that it burns light skin. tell me something interesting about Nubia. Not here. Halfdan stared at her." Leoba said. Fine -. According to Pliny. I learned from books like Pliny's." Halfdan scowled. and from maps -. "Tell me more about Nubia." Leoba took a deep breath and said.pictures of lands that show you how to get there. South of Frankia is a land called Italia.I vow by all the gods that. Do you believe that souls live after death." Halfdan crouched again in front of her. the --" "Is 'Pliny' another of your gods? Christ's uncle?" "Pliny wrote books. "I have read of amazing animals found in Nubia. So start talking or the deal's off. "So. Dark skin seems to protect people from the sun's heat." "South of Germany is a land called Frankia. the hotter it gets and the darker the people. I'll set you free when we reach land." "What do you know about Nubia?" "It's far to the south and everybody is dark-skinned there. Both Egypt and Nubia are part of the continent of Africa." "How do I know what you'll find interesting?" "You don't.

" Leoba yelped. Thanks. but --" "'Mohammedans'?" "Those are followers of a new heresy from the East."You think I'm lying?" Halfdan looked closely into Leoba's squinting grey eyes. Nubia gets a lot of salt from trade with the pagan barbarians who live south of Nubia." "What about this Christ? Was he African?" "No." "'Heresy'?" "A false interpretation of our holy book. to hide from the Romans. that idea started in Africa. There are gold-mines and the land is good for farming. very rich. with the same curly hair. Nubia is many miles inland." Halfdan said." "And there are maps like that in England?" "Yes. was an African man." "Who is the king of Nubia?" "I don't know." "Could you guide a ship there?" Leoba shook her head and said. Many of our Saints have been from Africa. "Most of Africa has been conquered by the Mohammedans." Halfdan stood up. In pictures. And one of the five capitals of our Church is in Africa: an Egyptian city called Alexandria. in a great burning desert. And even a sailor would need a map. A lot of interesting facts. What else do you want to know?" "Is Nubia a rich country?" "Yes. Many of our greatest Saints --" "'Saints'?" "Heroes of our religion. saying. "I may have to return to England some day. "I'm not a sailor. "Tell me more about Nubia. The idea that nuns and monks should live apart from the rest of society in religious communities. "Wait!" "What?" "Was what I told you about Nubia interesting enough? Are you going to set me free?"
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. "No. But His parents took Him to Egypt as a child. My point is that Nubia is still a strongly Christian land. at around the same time as Saint Cuthbert. try to find one of those maps. She said. he looks as dark as you. Saint Hadrian." "I've already told you a lot. One of the first evangelists to England was --" "'Evangelist'?" "A travelling priest who tries to convince people to change religions." "Is it possible to sail there?" "Yes." grudgingly. but the Nile River can be sailed upstream to get there. many. One of the first ones to come to England.

all the other fighters were asleep. And Venn. The spear-tip poked through the buttered tarp and the blankets. Now! He stood up. His face twisted with hurt and shock. and in the battle of the frozen river. a spear in his hands. Lying in blankets and tarps on the mid-deck around him. "No! Don't drown anybody!" "I have to drown somebody." "Then drown me." Leoba looked at the middle-aged nun beside her and wailed in horror. looked in the light of moon and stars at the hated black face below him. Late that night on Wave-Jumper. Not Sister Wilthburga here. I don't break my vows. but could not and would not interfere. "I'll drown this one instead. wet flesh inside rip and tear." "Will you drown any of my sisters?" Halfdan said. feeling the soft. deep in thought. An idea that made him grin and tremble with excitement." "You are brave. "Die slow. He pulled back his spear. you black troll! You murdering mud-face!" Halfdan grunted from the deep. awful pain inside his body. "I was just toying with you. Venn lay on the wave-swaying deck.Halfdan said. Yes. A few of the deck-sitting nuns were awake. and I will set you free when we get to Norway. "It was interesting enough that I've decided not to drown you in the sacred swamp. or the gods will be annoyed. "For Torvald!" Halfdan's eyes popped open. until an idea came to him. as he tried to free his arms from the wool blankets and greasy tarp. and a tear slid from one of her eyes." Venn whispered. hitting Halfdan just over his belt-buckle and plunging deep into his guts. Venn twisted the rusty spear-tip deeper into Halfdan's belly. and start stepping over the sleeping fighters as he moved towards the rear-deck." Halfdan pointed at the nun sitting beside Leoba. only the look-out and a few captives were awake. stinking devils!" Halfdan smiled. wrapped in blankets and a butter-smeared tarp. Venn walked to Halfdan. Halfdan saw Venn standing over him. "For Torvald." "And you are a devil! All of you. I won't save myself by another's unholy murder. Halfdan walked away. "Ha!"
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. Venn -. Halfdan was here to protect the treasure from night sneak-theft. and in the raid -." Leoba's rope-wrapped body slumped in relief. screaming. Halfdan and the steersman were sleeping by the pile of treasure. "The gods can go hungry for once. except for the look-out at the bow. not anybody else. the steersman slept here to be near the steering-oar at the stern. The unsleeping English-women watched Venn rise. what you taught me about Nubia was interesting.as he had done in wet training back in Eid.stabbed his foe without hesitation.

With his other hand. trailing bubbles of laughter. Venn had to hurry.Venn saw blood staining Halfdan's blankets. Done! Venn let go of the spear-handle.a box of priceless gems in one hand. Before the lunging steersman could grab his legs. before the steersman could stand up and grab him. outlandish treasure to the side of Wave-Jumper. leaving it sticking up from Halfdan. down into the frigid depths of darker and darker water. He balanced there -. He sank. a deck of fighters waking in confusion behind him -. He stepped up onto the edge of the bulwark (a wooden wall that kept waves off the deck). Venn jumped.and he laughed. Venn stepped fast to the treasure-pile. "Free! I'm free!" and splashed into the bone-chilling water.with the sea in front. sharks and sea-monsters. Venn grabbed the heavy bag of gold items.
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. down and down. tightly gripping the stolen treasure with both hands. "I'm free!" he crowed. he grabbed the iron box he had filled with gems. With one hand. sinking past jellyfish. yelping. Venn carried the box and the bag of precious. eels. drowning with joy. towards a crab-crawling bottom. a bag of priceless gold in the other -.

" Siv said. Yngvild staring in shock and horror at their cloth-wrapped load. then I put a bandage on it and carved some magic runes on a bone amulet. "Dead?" "He is wrapped in cloth. "Oh. but the infection got worse and worse. The temporary shelter that had housed Halfdan. the small sprouts of grass and wildflowers swayed in warm wind.28: A SAD HOMECOMING The war-ships reached Norway's mountain-toothy coast and sailed north to Fjordane-fjord. in the spring. chanting the most powerful magic I
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.was carried by six glum raiders from the deck of Wave-Jumper and onto the docks. "Did Halfdan die immediately?" One of the other fighters said. Folk gathered in the street by the docks to watch the arrival. on the roof of the new house. raiding England) would soon see their wives. Yngvild and Siv after the Great Fire of Eid had. a sick feeling deep inside her. occupying Sogndal. children and extended families again. "A nobody. Yngvild and Siv were sitting on a sunny bench near the front door. Soon the hole in his belly smelled of onion. The half-dozen fighters with sad. bawling into her hands. parents. which led them to Eid. a freshly-killed lamb hung by its neck. Yngvild said. The earlysummer sun was bright that morning. girlfriends. been replaced by a normal house." Yngvild said. On a bronze hook beside the front door. But there was little cheer among the returning raiders. a gift for Freya. When the body-bearers were close. and yesterday night he left us. which I placed in his hands." and started to weep. "Halfdan is home. "No. fighting a battle. I spent most of the rest of the trip by his side. Yngvild?" Yngvild said to her blind mother. The healer-fighter said." "Who did it?" The steersman said. Halfdan was stabbed in the gut by a crazed traitor when we were sailing home. their gloomy mood spread to the folk of Eid. He lived for four days and three nights. wrapped from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head in blankets -. down-cast faces carried Halfdan's body into their yard. "Is he dead?" One of the six men was the steersman of Wave-Jumper. and the arrival of the ships meant that many Fjordane-fighters (who had been away since mid-winter: crossing Nis glacier. Siv said. weaving wool socks. the air nicely warm.stretched on a plank. and tried to heal him. The coward killed himself after the crime. I know medicine." Both women stood and waited. when they learned of the tragic fates of Haki and Halfdan. "Yesterday night?" and dropped back down onto the bench. "What is happening. "Yes. The body of Halfdan -. I am very sorry. carried on a piece of wood. His name is not worth mentioning. Some of his gut-tubes had slipped out. which told me that there was a hole in his stomach. no." Yngvild sobbed. then borne into the rebuilt town. so I stuck them back inside the hole as best I could. when Yngvild saw the body-bearing procession on the street. "I fed him onions right after the stabbing. He said. approaching their house.

Unless that is beyond your medical skills. The red-black scabs were cracked. go away. and fill the biggest pot with water and get it to boil.you know most gut-piercings are fatal. smiling. Yngvild was weeping violently and paid little attention as the men carried the body into the house and placed it on the bed that Siv and Yngvild shared." she said. Not like those in Njal's leg. Quit blubbering and let's get to work. gently squeezing. wet-faced. Then she touched his neck. Folk call me Ole the Healer." "What's your name." Siv said. "When I saw that he was dead. He might still die -." Yngvild stood staring at Halfdan. "Thank you. Will you take orders from an old." Blushing with shame." and did as he was told. anyway?" "Ole. Find a clean knife to cut off this corpse-cloth. Three nights ago. "It's a good thing that you did not have wax on board." "Then light the fire. Time for work. Siv sniffed at Halfdan's belly. "There are disease-demons inside there. "Get up. naturally I wanted to plug his eyes and nose and mouth with wax. to stop evil spirits from crawling in -. Siv said. when his heartbeat and his breathing stopped. She said.a faint one. Five of the fighters. "I would like to stay. His face looked much paler than normal." "Let me feel him. He said. Enough of that. Ole said. "What?" "Your troll-faced boyfriend isn't dead.and how could you not notice his shallow breathing? Fool! Yngvild! Get inside!" Yngvild shuffled inside. blind woman?" "Yes." "Ole the Incompetent would be better. frantically kissing and stroking his unmoving face. But the embarrassed healer-man remained inside the house. Ole the Beginner-Student. as if most of his face-muscles had melted away. And learn. To help. Fool! This man is not dead." "Why?" "Because it would have suffocated him."
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. The healer-fighter started peeling the blankets from Halfdan's head. son of Tryggve. and he slept until yesterday night. The spear had pierced just below his belly-button. Yngvild lay on the bed by Halfdan's body.knew. "but not the worst kind. left to spread the good news. unable to believe her mother's words. Siv said." His scab-crusted belly was swollen to the size of a pregnant woman's. How dare you call yourself a healer? I can definitely feel a pulse -. saying." Siv's fingers stroked the slack. The rest of you.but we had no wax on board. She put a finger on his black moustache." "Will you take orders from my daughter too? Without any complaints from male pride?" "Yes. and much thinner. Halfdan fell into a sleep that we could not wake him from. and white pus oozed out from the hurt. but his belly got more and more swollen. greyish skin of Halfdan's face. but still -.

Siv dumped the scrubbed maggots -. "Now. After sprinkling a powder of dried toad-warts onto him. Some of the maggots had squirmed into the spear-hole." For a moment. "as long as you keep working and don't distract us." "Thank you. Covering the pale bugs with a sheet of boiledclean cloth. Then get a cloth and wipe each one dry. while leaving the healthy parts alone. Bring a bowl. only their tails sticking out." he said.The first step was to wash the hurt.onto Halfdan's hugely-swollen belly. "Rinse them in water that's neither hot nor cold. Yngvild pulled these worms out. He stepped out the front door and puked on the grass. "Mud?" Ole said. But. While the maggots were working. never living. They returned with the bucket full of moist grey stuff. one by one. Guided by Siv's instructions. "Why?" Siv said. Yngvild again washed Halfdan's huge belly with the wolf's-bane brew. "Shouldn't we do some chanting now?" "You can chant as much as you want. carrying a bucket. "Maggots?" he said. Ole went outside again. then loosely covered the clay with boiled-clean bandages. "Garbage dump.a wriggling. We need about a hundred. after a glance at Halfdan's body on the bed." "Fine." Siv said. a queasy look on his face." "Sweet Tor. with wooden tweezers. Siv explained to Ole. with disgust. not question us. They'll make their way into the cut." Ole stayed quiet. and the stretched skin around it.
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. Gently. He soon returned." She often checked under the cloth and described to Siv the feasting maggots. he carried the bowl to the water-mug on the eating-table and did as he was told. she smeared a thick layer of the magic swamp-clay over Halfdan's hurt. shaking his head. Ole said. Then. "Magic clay. put it by the bed. Be careful not to hurt them. they're sensitive and delicate. "Here they are. Ole was told to watch over Halfdan while Siv and Yngvild went for a walk. Yngvild brushed most of them off. "Maggots eat dead flesh. squirming mass of white worms -. then returned. Siv said. Yngvild said. eating some of the nasty stuff in there. his empty stomach heaving. holding the bowl as far from himself as he could. But where am I supposed to collect maggots?" Yngvild said. It was mid-afternoon when Siv decided that the maggots had done enough. "You're here to do what we say." Ole said. to the sacred swamp. Ole seemed ready to walk out. How do you clean a maggot?" Siv said. with a cloth soaked in a brew made from the boiled leaves of a plant called wolf's-bane. Go!" Ole left. clean them. Ole was told to collect maggots.

" A pause. keep feeding lots of wood to the fire. Soon. Have him drink the potion. "Blink three times if you still think I'm pretty and will love me with all of your heart. He groaned and opened his eyes. Can you hear me?" Nothing. sealing any cracks with stuffed rags." His eyelids twitched twice. Yngvild said. Halfdan choked and coughed. "We need to fill the house with steam. "He's awake! You're awake!" Siv said. if you can hear me. after pouring in a large cup of vinegar. fast." Two days later. The vinegar-steam should help the healing. She said with a sly grin. Yngvild laughed. Hopefully. "Can you hear me?" He seemed to be looking at her. acidic steam drifted up from the pot. She said. "Keep filling the pot with water and vinegar. Then bring the water-pot back to a boil.
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. one hand clenching in a fist. forever. But some of it went down his throat. Halfdan's long eyelashes suddenly fluttered in the steamy air. "Blink twice. then poured liquid from a cup in his mouth: water brewed with honey (for energy) and the fungus of a birch-tree (a strong laxative) and wolf's-bane (to kill disease-demons)." Siv told Ole. he will wake up soon." Yngvild opened Halfdan's lips with a finger-tip. but she could not tell if he recognized her.Siv told him to close all the doors and windows of the house. "Quick. then three quick blinks. Yngvild yelped. clapping her hands with relief. "It's Yngvild.

She shouted.that nothing. It is clear that I have been abandoned. son of Torgill. Olli. gesturing at the crowd and stepping to the rear of the big. flat-topped rock. At the end of each court-case. with the law-speaker standing on the Law Rock to shout out. Joran. Yngvild stepped onto the Law Rock. daughter of Siv." the law-speaker said. but he kept gambling on horses and losing. He was unlucky. The man who'd made them. and I have not seen him since. all men.) The case before Yngvild's involved two men who each claimed ownership of a fancy-looking set of carved and painted bed-posts. Each brought witnesses to attest to their honesty and good character.29: ELECTION The mid-summer Assembly -. The Law Rock was just outside the Eid walls. crowding the grassy field below her. while Olli scowled at the crowd as he left.when court cases would be decided by a public vote. After each of the litigants made their arguments and presented their witnesses. claimed that he had got them as a gift." Yngvild's first witness was her mother. That was two years ago." with folk showing their support for one side or the other by yelling and clanging weapons onto shields. (Only if the ear-vote was very close would the law-speaker call for an "eye-vote. claimed that he had only loaned them to Olli. The man who now had them. who was led onto the Law Rock and placed to face the crowd." Joran strutted from the Law Rock with a pleased grin. Votes were normally "ear-votes. or will be declared an outlaw. not a gift. Please grant my divorce.began early in the morning. and when a king would be elected to rule the newly-unified kingdom called "Sogn and Fjordane" -. because of debts from gambling on horse-fights. then Joran's. We lived in a house in Starheim until he lost it. "The bed-posts were a loan. to Halfdan the Black. He took all the money in our silver-box. We had no children. "I am Yngvild. I married Gunnar. The support was much louder for Joran than for Olli. Yngvild saw hundreds of faces. Olli is to return them to Joran in seven days. of the town of Starheim. We moved into the house of my mother. from memory. I wish a divorce so that I can be free of my vows to Gunnar -. the law-speaker asked the crowd to make noise for Olli's position. near the field that had been used in the winter for war-training. grey Law Rock to shout their cases to the crowd and to call witnesses. Litigants would stand on the flat-topped. that cowardly and unlucky failure of a wretch! I wish to re-marry. the law-speaker would call for the Assembly to vote. in Starheim. until one day he disappeared. Next case: Yngvild of Starheim's plea for divorce. The law-speaker shouted. This went on for about a year. I have two witnesses. Five years ago. his debt getting bigger and bigger. "Go ahead." which was the counting of raised weapons.
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. all the traditional laws of Fjordane (which now were Sogn's laws too).

Next case: Knut. and Yngvild is my only daughter. I attest that Yngvild does not lie and that everything she told you of her marriage is the truth!" The next witness was Yngvild's cousin. nobody else wanted to run. Late that afternoon. also very brave -. "Yngvild." "Yes. saying. But he was getting better. Tone. from the direction of the Law Rock.and casually tossed it into a bush. he was unable to be a candidate for king of Sogn and Fjordane. Yngvild untied the key hanging from her belt -. The noise of her support was deafening. The law-speaker then gestured for Yngvild and her witnesses to move to the rear of the Law Rock.her naked. His belly was much smaller than it had been at his arrival. As soon as she stepped off the Law Rock. is Gunnar here? Gunnar.Siv said." Because of Halfdan's health. They rested in bed -.the wisest man that Halfdan knew. her arm resting on his chest -. "Then this will be an undefended divorce. him wearing only the bandages on his belly. The law-speaker raised a hand for quiet and asked. "Free? Not for long. At home. The din of deep voices and wood drumming onto wood frightened birds from nearby trees. The law-speaker said. Then. Now. you are now divorced. "I'm free. "And who opposes the divorce?" Silence. son of Gandalf. as most of the crowd whooped and screeched and bellowed at the Law Rock. who told the crowd of jurors much the same as Siv. in a whisper. Yngvild is an honest woman. then said. Atli agreed. "We'll get married. pleads that the Assembly order Torfinn. Halfdan and Siv heard the noise of the last vote of the day.to be a candidate. with new wrinkles in his face from day after day of almostunbearable pain. Siv went to Halfdan's bedside. Halfdan smiled at her and said." Yngvild rested her head on his bony shoulder.and they listened to the hundreds of men yelling and pounding weapons outside the town. not for long.the symbol of her disappeared marriage -. and pus no longer leaked from the stab-scar." A month after the gut-stabbing. So he had asked Atli -. By Freya. The law-speaker shouted to the crowd. Atli was the only candidate. When you get better --" Halfdan said. "You have heard the case for a divorce. He looked strangely thin. son of Torgill?" The law-speaker called for Gunnar twice more. daughter of Tordis.
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. When it was known that Halfdan supported Atli for king. some joker in the crowd put his lips to his arm and made a loud farting noise. to compensate Knut for the wrongful poisoning of his sheep. pounding handles of swords and axes onto wooden shields. Knut stepped onto the Law Rock as Yngvild and her cousin led Siv off. Halfdan was still too weak to leave the bed." Nervous-looking. both for her own qualities and for her closeness to Halfdan. "I am Siv. son of Grettir. Folk laughed. Let me hear the votes of those who agree that Yngvild should be released from her marriage?" Yngvild was very popular. "No.

dressed in their fanciest clothes.Faintly. a crowd of fighters carried King Atli. When the gifts were all gone. King Atli of Sogn and Fjordane immediately started handing out gifts. Slaves opened barrels of beer and mead. to celebrate with their new legal ruler. sitting on top of a shield. King Atli now wore a long. A big pile of wood outside the hall was lit on fire when King Atli arrived. as his fighters carried him in circles around the fire. "LONG LIVE KING ATLI!"
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. Folk arrived at King Atli's hall. to his hall. handing cups to everybody. they could hear many voices yelling together. across the distance from the Law Rock. "LONG LIVE KING ATLI! LONG LIVE KING ATLI! LONG LIVE KING ATLI!" After his election. sipping booze from a gold-decorated horn. red gown of silk and pointed whale-skin boots. His paint-smeared face stayed calm and dignified as he sat on the shield.

30: TO JERUSALEM It is said that almost a year passed before Halfdan's belly fully healed, and that he was never as strong after the stabbing as he had been before. It is also said that the traitor's rusty spear-tip caused unhealable harm to Halfdan's insides; for the rest of his long life, Halfdan would complain of shitting-pains. Early on in Halfdan's slow recovery -- a few days after the election of King Atli, when Halfdan was still too weak to get out of bed -- Halfdan told Yngvild and Siv of a strange dream. "I dreamed of my mother last night," he said. "Aasa floated into this room, to talk to me. She looked just as the old folk in Os described: with skin blacker than the sky between stars, hair like the wool of a black sheep, and eyes just like mine. She wore a strange gown, in bright colours and outlandish patterns. And from her back --" "What?" Siv said. Halfdan said, "On her back were two huge wings, spreading to either side of her. One of the wings was black, like the wing of a crow, and the other white, like that of an owl from the far north." "Like the paintings in that religious building in England you told us about," Yngvild said. "Yes, except for the black wing," Halfdan said. "Her feet did not touch the floor; she floated to my bedside, the wings flapping slowly, just enough to keep her floating over the floor. I said, 'Why are you here?' and she said, 'You know,' and I did. I remembered that I had vowed to set free one of the slaves from England, a madwoman called Leoba. With the excitement of Venn's stabbing and your divorce and the election, I'd forgotten about Leoba and my vow. I said, 'You emerged from the shadow-world of death just to remind me to free a slave?' And my mother said, 'Yes. Leoba's life is precious to me.' I said, 'Because you are both Christians?' She told me, 'Yes.' That made me feel very angry. She had left me alone for so long, teaching me nothing about who I was or what to believe, and then I almost die and am in agony every day -- and when Aasa's ghost shows up, she is more interested in what happens to some outlander slavebitch than her own son! It was insulting, like my life meant nothing to her. I shouted, 'That's the only reason you came? Because of Leoba?' And my mother said, 'Yes. I am following orders.' 'Whose orders?' She said, 'You know,' and I did -- I remembered seeing a statue of that Christ-god, dangling by his hands from a wood-beam, and I knew that this Christ ruled my mother. And my mother knew my thoughts. She said, 'Yes, Christ rules me. I gave my undying ghost to Christ, long before I gave the rest of me to your father, and now I dwell in glory in heaven.' 'What about Odin and Tor and my gods?' She shrugged -- it was so strange, seeing a ghost shrug like that, wings growing from behind her shoulders -- and she said, 'Your gods are getting weaker every generation. In the long-ago days, they did great things, but now, what? They do nothing but wait for the end of the world and pass the time gambling on human battles. They only hide in the clouds, useless. They are dying. It will not be long before they are all forgotten, forever, and Christ will rule all of Norway, forever.' I said, 'What does this Christ want from folk, anyway?' She said, 'Justice. Love. Forgiveness. Now I must leave.' She turned and started floating towards the door, wings flapping. I tried to get out of bed to follow, but it was

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too painful and my body too weak. I called out, 'Wait.' At the door, she said, 'What?' There was so much I wanted to ask her. But my mind went blank. What did I most want to ask her? All I could think to say was, 'Tell me something interesting.' She said, 'Do you want to know about your father?' 'Yes!' My mother's ghost said to me, 'Gødrød is still alive. He went to the east, farther east than any Norseman had ever travelled, fighting for many different kings. He was made a captive after a great battle in a desert. The conquerors took him as a slave to their homeland, farther east. He is still a slave, in a land at the eastern edge of the world, building an unimaginably-long wall of stone. Gødrød is now an old man, married to a slave and their children and grandchildren are slaves. When he is too old to lift heavy stones, he will die in that odd, distant land.' I said nothing, wondering at my father's fate. Before she could leave, I asked, 'Mother, what should I do?' and she said, 'You know, my boy," and floated out through the door, gone." Yngvild asked Siv, "What does the dream mean?" Siv said to Halfdan, "Set free the slave. I don't know how to interpret the rest of the dream." "Nor do I," Halfdan said. The next day, Ole walked to a farm near Eid and spoke to the man who owned it. "You have a new slave-girl, one of the outlanders from the raid," Ole said. The farmer said, "Yes. So?" "Halfdan wants to buy her," Ole said. He held out an apple-sized piece of silver; it was much more than the normal price for a slave of Leoba's age and gender. The farmer eyed the silver with interest but, being honest, said, "If Halfdan wants her, he should know that she's one of the most useless slaves I've ever owned. Hardly ever wants to work, always rolling her eyes at the sky and weeping. Can't dig a ditch or even clean out a pig-pen. Not even pretty. I can sell Halfdan something much better than her." "Halfdan wants that one." "Fine." The farmer took the lump of silver. Some neighbours were witnesses, as Ole chanted to Leoba, "No longer a slave, now freedom is yours." He chanted it nine times, as the law required, and after the ninth repetition she was legally freed. Leoba said to the farmer, "You will fry in Hell for what you did to me." The farmer looked at Ole, saying, "See? I warned you about this one." "Let's go," Ole said. He and Leoba walked away from the farm, towards Eid. Her head had been shaved to the skin; she wore cheap grey clothes; half-healed whip-scars could be seen on the back of her neck; more pain-stripes were on her back, hidden by her rough slave-garb. Leoba looked thin and tired and her eyes were dazed. But her odd, rude and fanatical character was almost unchanged. She said, "Where are you taking me?" "To the docks." "Why?" "To put you on a ship." Leoba stopped walking for a moment, staring at Ole in shock. "A ship to where?"

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Ole said, "Wherever you want. Come on, I have better things to do than talk with you." "Wherever I want? Jerusalem!" Leoba raised her face and hands to the sky, shrieking, "O, Mother Mary! You heard my prayers! Blessed Virgin Mother! I am coming!" Ole snarled, "Hurry up, bitch, or I'll speed you along with a kick!" Leoba followed Ole to the docks. Many war-ships and fishing-ships and tradingships were roped to the rebuilt docks, bobbing in the gentle waves of the fjord. Men walked around, carrying loads and shouting orders and making repairs and drinking in small groups and doing business. Ole said, "Halfdan told me to arrange passage on a trading-ship for you. You can take one of the ones here, or if you want to go someplace that nobody here is going, you can wait for another ship to arrive. So, where do you want to go?" "Jerusalem!" "Where?" "Jerusalem!" "I don't know where that is, but I'll check." Leoba waited at the foot of the docks as Ole went from trading-ship to tradingship, chatting with each ship's owner or its steersman. Now and then, Ole gestured at Leoba or showed someone the silver. Ole walked back to Leoba and said, "None of them are going to Jerusalem. How about Førde?" Leoba said, "I don't know where that is." "It's a Norse town on a different fjord, over there." Ole pointed to the south-west. "Not many outlander ships come to Eid. More of them come to Førde. Over there, you'll have a better chance of finding a ship going out of Norway. I don't know about finding one to Jerusalem -- none of these sailors have heard of the place -- but maybe you will get lucky." "To Førde, then," Leoba said. Ole gave Leoba a leather bag containing various items, including a small piece of silver for the passage to Førde and a much bigger piece to pay for the next step of her journey. He took her along the dock, to a ship owned by fur-traders -- it was called "SeaSlicer" -- and she waited on the dock as he finished the arrangements. Ole stepped back on the dock. The steersman gazed at Leoba, looking impatient. "Get on, we don't have all the time in the world," the steersman said. Ole said to Leoba, "You have to do as he says. No more arguing with everybody anymore. That's important." "Goodbye," Leoba said. "And thank you." Ole said, "Thank Halfdan. May the gods speed you away." "And may God's Truth someday touch your soul, brother. It's not too late, for you or anybody." Ole looked confused. Leoba half-smiled, crossing herself. She took a deep breath of the warm, saltscented air. She stepped onto the fur-piled deck of Sea-Slicer and out of this saga.

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We can grow crops and food-beasts. That was a difficult. I know. But there is one problem with farming. the hero of many sagas. she said. and she said that you knew -. a strong and healthy boy -. "True. "We have enough silver to buy a nice farm. with your sea-sickness. and you say farming is boring.darker in skin and hair than his mother." "In your dream. lighter than his father -." "Then what do you want to do?" "Nothing. A farm is a good place for raising children. (Later to be nicknamed "Harald the Messy-Haired. sometimes-dangerous job which usually paid little -. a few nights after their wedding." Halfdan said. No longer did the clanging of weapons and the screams of the fallen sound sweet to his ears.)
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. "That does not sound very practical." "That silly slave-religion?" Halfdan frowned. but Halfdan would spend each winter away from home. Halfdan vowed to avoid fights and to not cheat on Yngvild." "Nothing?" After a pause. "Or maybe she wants me to become a Christian." "No." "You want to be a full-time poet?" Halfdan said. I'm sure that. They agreed that he would work as a farmer in Eid for half of each year. My father." (She was pregnant." "Sorry. the believer in our gods.who was called Harald.but Halfdan believed strongly in his skill at rhyming and alliteration." this boy would grow up to be a famous and cruel warrior. King Lambi was dead and revenged and there seemed no point to violence anymore. is the slave now. It's so boring!" "You don't want to fight anymore." Eventually. earning silver as a travelling poet. Halfdan said. when you asked Aasa's ghost what to do.) Halfdan said. The sad news of the death of Uncle Harald was soon followed by the good news of the birth of their son. He had missed his chance to be elected king of Sogn and Fjordane. and as a travelling poet for the other half. "I like poetry. King Atli wanted Halfdan to be his second-in-command of the army. and he knew that his fame as a fighter and a war-chief would attract audiences. When he talked about his feelings to Yngvild. he had to decide what to do next in life. you're not thinking of becoming a fisherman or trader. Halfdan and Yngvild negotiated a plan: they would buy land near Eid and become a farm-family. "My mother was not a slave. but Halfdan was tired of fighting.do you think that poetry is what she meant?" "Maybe.31: CAREER-CHANGE When Halfdan recovered.

an officer in the Oslo army. many of them tiny and poor. then his reason for travelling to Oslo. As winter-time was boring. But one of King Haakon's powerful followers. As soon as Halfdan had walked into King Haakon's hall for the first time. as was done in most other Norse lands. "What brings you here." To Halfdan. (Bones and garbage were tossed whenever a poem was bad. and despite his age. but circular. or when Halfdan was too drunk to remember the words.until. but still a fierce fighter and active sportsman. Halfdan travelled south to Oslo for the first time. besides. King Haakon seemed to think highly of Halfdan too. I have no choice but to take revenge. most kings were eager to have a famous fighter and war-chief hanging around to provide entertainment.) All went well in his new career -." King Haakon said. by horse-drawn sled and occasionally (when it could not be avoided) by ship. "Then take it outside my kingdom! Here he is safe!" Egil whined.
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. he desecrated my father's burialmound. Far to the south-east of Eid.32: DUEL! As a travelling poet.with family and hard work every summer. King Haakon said. "He might be a spy for King Atli!" "King Atli is a good man. the son of King Njal. Halfdan spent many winters travelling around Norway by ski. "this black-faced troll here killed my brother Bjaaland. who had helped his father to terrorize Eid and who had run away. was Egil -." Egil whined. Halfdan would sleep in the hall with the fighters. and folk did not hang dead sheep outside their doors to please the gods. Egil had recognized him. but under its famous King Haakon it was quickly rising in power and wealth. They had circled Halfdan. and why do you look so dark in the face?" Halfdan briefly explained his parentage. from the battle of the frozen river. He reminded Halfdan of King Lambi in some ways.yes. sharing their feasts and endless booze-fests. When Halfdan arrived by horse-drawn sled. he was often the player who scored the most goals for his team. "And. And worst of all. shortly after Yule-time. hurt and defeated. there are many kingdoms and much distance separating his from mine. Halfdan would first ask the king's permission to stay there and practice his art. King Haakon was grey-bearded and somewhat fat. when King Haakon from his feasting-platform in the center of the hall called out. not men. With a group of other Oslo-fighters. but were tossed into a hole in the ground full of poisonous vipers.only women wore face-paint. and winters filled with art and friendships and being drunk -. "Stop! This man came here as a guest! Anyone who harms my guest without permission will be thrown to the snakes!" "But my lord. as was normal. There were other odd customs in the south-lands of Norway -. collecting and saving the scraps of silver that were tossed at him after a good poem. he was surprised to see that Oslo's king-hall was not rectangular in shape. At each kingdom. ready to attack him from all sides. Oslo was a small kingdom." King Haakon roared. one winter. He spent much of his time playing a game with sticks and a wooden ball on the ice of a lake. and Halfdan immediately liked him. He visited dozens of Norse kingdoms. Egil had angrily approached Halfdan. Halfdan had pulled out his sword. and human sacrifices here were not drowned in a swamp. And he stole my kingdom.

they struck Burning a sacred hall By luck or by fate. at grim-faced Egil. smell the steam Of dreams stolen by swirling flame!
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." "Of course. this weakling bitch So hear of his career Of cowardice and crime Bad King Njal and this brat Schemed betrayal of my lord Breaking vows of peace. with a sneer and one eyebrow raised. Halfdan loudly went on with: There's much to praise in brave men But little to mention in liars I like to chant of heroes Like the manly King Lambi And my berserk friend. Halfdan stepped in front of King Haakon's platform and said: Oslo-king asks me to sing A poem about -. I lived To tell all of you of My king." Surrounded by tables full of feasting Oslo-fighters. the darkness of winter-night exiled by the light of the fire-place and the torches on the walls.him? Halfdan glanced."A poet? They're always nice to have around in the winter. my blood-brothers My queen. trapped in the blaze Imagine! How they awoke To choke on smoke and weep As walls and roof danced red Flames stroking my queen's hair Sizzling skin! Boiling blood! Flaming wood-beams falling down! Hear the screams. Are you any good? Let me hear something before I decide on letting you stay here. Haki Not waste my words on turds I've nothing nice to say Of him. What subject would you like?" "Tell me a poem about why Egil hates you so much.

Good Oslo-folk. my army skied Across the border-glacier Our force's fury hotter than An iron-melting forge At Sogn we fought a battle That'll never be forgotten Shield-walls met with fiercest rage On the frozen river The clangs of cold iron! The steam of blood-slick ice! Storm of arrows and spears! Bones broke. see these tears As I tell of my grief and guilt And anger at the gods Night after night of nightmares So I sought revenge. but a better man's The bite of King Lambi's skull Sweet luck! King Njal sank fast With well-earned sufferings Until. oops. bad King Njal Felt sickly from a tooth Not his own. of course As any good man should I vowed to kill the killers And did. wolves and crows fed And the cowards fled from Eid Back in Sogn. his leg fell off And demons dragged him to Hel As he died.him Revenge! At the battle Of the beacon. it began Foes groaned. except for -. flesh tore. men roared! Haki's heavy ax-head fell Shields and shoulders shattered My sword danced and sang As I painted foe-shields red
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"You are welcome to stay all winter. Egil. The applause was loud and long. a sheep. Halfdan the Poet!" the king cried.
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. he hates me The king and most of the fighters thought very highly of the poem. lord of Oslo I've told you of the feud You have heard how and why I hate him. in the battle? Has he not told this tale? How did this bold-tongued babbler Show himself in battle? A kitten. with A verse on your cursed dad I dug in Njal's great grave And dragged out something gruesome Rotting flesh was fed to hogs Bones shoved down a shit-hole King Haakon. if you like!" King Haakon left his chair to shake hands with Halfdan.A famous victory For Fjordane and revenge Dead men lay in falling snow Wives in Sogn were widows The red-beaked ravens stood Over men and boys of Sogn Bjaaland too (his brother) Were left for laughing birds But what of him. humiliated. except at the table where Egil sat. coward And show all Oslo the scar No? Then I will go on. weapons dropped Sprinting with girlish gasps A spear stuck in his ass! Pull down your pants. a rat This wretch ran from my rage His brother's body forgotten Fast-footing to the forest Ha! What a funny sight Full of fright. but dared to do nothing. "Welcome. seethed with fury at the new-comer.

She stroked her small. chanting poetry and feasting." She touched a finger-tip to the tip of the sword. you were a famous fighter and war-chief. during a night of feasting and boozing. but a few of the Oslo-fighters were looking curiously at him and Solvi sitting together. My old one got too much rust. holding the finger in front of the bare tops of her breasts. Halfdan made sure to never leave the hall except with King Haakon or some trustworthy Oslo-fighters. fancy-looking dress." "Thank you. Her eyes not leaving Halfdan. "There is no rust on this blade. So." Solvi put her hand onto the blade resting on his lap. "I should go back to my table." "Let me test it. "May I see it? Its blade?" Halfdan drew that long.Halfdan spent every night in the hall. He looked around.
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. pale fingers along the side of shining iron. sharpened iron from its sheath and rested the blade on his lap. but her husband's mind had been damaged by a horse-kick. I bought it new last year." Solvi said. Then she put the finger into her mouth. she parted her lips and licked the blood." Halfdan glanced at the weapon hanging from his belt. dark-red bead of blood." "I hear that. she came into the hall and asked to speak privately to Halfdan. "Yes. "Now your sword has tasted the blood of a woman. Solvi?" he said. The finger-tip oozed a small. and now she did as she pleased. "How many men has it tasted the blood of?" "None." she said. which were squeezed up and together by her tight. King Haakon had a daughter. And your poetry is lovely. quickly stood and shoved his sword away and went back to his feasting-table. They went to a quieter part of the hall and sat together on a bench. looking at her fingertip. "Is it sharp?" "Of course. She decided that she wanted Halfdan as her lover. grinning. To prevent a sneak-killing by Egil. King Haakon was paying no attention. She gasped. May I touch it?" "Of course. It's so bright and beautiful. feeling uncomfortable and unwillingly aroused. Solvi lifted her pierced finger-tip to her face. She showed it to Halfdan. She said. who was Halfdan's age and very beautiful." Halfdan said." "That is true. at least. sucking it. Halfdan. before you devoted yourself to your art. nodded. "but almost handsome. still staring at Halfdan. Solvi left the hall." "I see that you still carry a fearsome-looking sword. "You are very strange-looking. She was married." she said. "Careful!" But she had touched the sword-tip hard enough to break skin. Solvi.

ripping away his fancy clothes. looking worried. This scheming. In one of her secret bedrooms. she groaned with shameless lust. Even King Haakon left his raised table to come watch. troll-face?" Halfdan said. "I can't do anything." "Fine. There's nothing I can do." The slave-girl left. The rules of the drinking-game were simple. "Princess Solvi insists that you visit her." "No. There is food and booze there. whispering to Halfdan. The slave refilled the horn. About something very private. And now your father and Halfdan are great friends. insulted and outraged by the rejection -. Halfdan and Egil each pulled a chair from the table and sat in the gap between tables.furious. I am sure that my father will not interfere. dragging him down inside her. The next night." The slave-girl whispered. Your father said he would kill anyone who hurts Halfdan. Halfdan drank it. Be bold. you snivelling spawn of Sogn. the slave-girl returned. "Princess Solvi wishes to speak to you in private." The slave-girl left the hall. "Tell Princess Cat-In-Heat that I'm married. She did not return. then he drank it all back in a single guzzle." Halfdan finally stopped trying to be polite. "Princess Solvi would like to talk with you. She said.did not ever communicate with Halfdan again. "No." "You can be a man.The next night. Like this!" She pulled Egil into her arms. Princess Solvi -." "I will take you to her. "I hear that you Fjordane-folk can't hold your booze! Is that true. Egil ordered a slave to fill a silverdecorated horn with mead. "Tell Solvi that she is ugly and slutty and I'd rather mount a sheep. "If you provoke him into challenging you to a duel. without stopping to breathe.you'll think of something." "But how can I do that? He ignores all my insults and dirty looks. She can talk to me here. but it is comfortable. she goaded Egil in private. Egil said. She is waiting for you in a place where nobody ever goes. taunting him as a coward for not taking revenge on Halfdan. The mead (made of Oslo's finest
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. And Princess Solvi wants you to enjoy other kinds of treats as well." Halfdan said. A short while later." "Your wife does not need to ever know. "That sounds like a challenge to a drinking-contest. Egil swaggered over to Halfdan's table and said. eyes flashing with contempt." "Let's do it!" A crowd of Oslo-fighters eagerly gathered to watch. Leave me alone. not a whining coward!" Solvi said." "You are so smart -. Again and again." He hissed. facing each other. a slave-girl approached Halfdan's table in the hall. wicked woman started to pay much attention to Egil.

Clutching his belly with both hands." Halfdan said. sticky liquid down his throat. Egil said. Egil wiped at his face and shouted drunken threats." Egil said. the two foes got drunker and drunker. "You didn't finish it all! You left too much on the bottom!" Halfdan said.it has to stay down!" "I don't care about the rules of your childish games. Halfdan lifted the horn to his mouth and lifted it. "I went first. "Are you well?" Halfdan shook his head. Defeated and a mess. "What?" A tide of mead-puke burst out of Halfdan's gagging mouth. The slave filled the second horn in a row for Halfdan. both men were having some problems staying on their chairs." "No!" Egil howled."
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. Halfdan leaned towards Egil and opened his mouth. Or I'll have to find another. she said. As Egil was guzzling back yet another horn of mead. Sogn-spawn. Halfdan burped. his beard and shirt soaked with drooled booze. Egil's voice was loud and slurred. completely soaking King Njal's son with dripping. Thinking Halfdan was about to say something." "You don't admit defeat!" "No! You have to drink one more to win! All of it!" "Fine." Egil said. "Now we've both drank the same. reeking puke. King Haakon said. King Haakon looked over Egil's shoulder and said. struggling to focus his vision. splashing onto Egil's hair and face and fancy-looking clothes." Halfdan stood up and gestured for the slave to fill the horn and hand it to him. pumping out in sticky brown waves. "I want you to show me that you are brave enough to be worthy of my passion.honey) was very strong. He wiped sudden beads of sweat from his forehead. Booze sprayed from his nostrils as Egil pounded a fist on his own chest and gasped for breath. Halfdan slumped on his chair. He burped again. pouring all of the thick. "The winner is Halfdan!" King Haakon said. But. "Is the horn empty?" Halfdan said. "Half of it's still there. Egil left the hall. he coughed. The horn was passed back and forth. At one point. "Well-done!" King Haakon howled. Egil accused Halfdan of cheating." "So I win. you're supposed to drink it all! You have to do that one over again! Or I win!" "Fine. with King Haakon present. "He cheated! That last horn should not have counted -. the mocking laughter filling his ears. The next time that Egil was alone with Solvi. Later. Then he showed the crowd the empty horn. he dared not do anything. and Halfdan drank it quickly back without a breath." "No. "It is obvious that you will need help taking on Halfdan." "I'll do whatever you want. less cowardly lover. "There is always a little bit left at the bottom. We've both drank the same number." Solvi said.

Thank you. Pretending to stumble over a man's foot. "No." "Wonderful! What do we do?" The wizard Thrand told Egil his plan. "Sorry!" Egil said. spilling his cup of beer into Halfdan's face. who lived in a run-down shack on the edge of Oslo. But King Haakon called out. he will be eager to help. What I want is for you to visit a friend of mine. short and plump-faced. and then you need to do something to provoke him." Egil held out a shiny silver ring. and told him what Solvi wanted. but here in Oslo. Egil walked into the hall with Thrand. Even though he is now just a poet." said Thrand's voice. and he walked to Halfdan's table." "I have a spell that can change that. Halfdan was once the second-most-feared fighter in all the west-lands. Egil went to Halfdan's table and said. it is rude to refuse. He was an old man. we need to wait a while. knowing nothing of violence. Halfdan looked at Egil suspiciously." "As a token of my good-will. The wizard whispered. Egil slunk away to a dark corner. "You did that on purpose. I can take care of that difficulty as well. if a brave man offers an apology and a fine gift. I am not sure that I could defeat him in a duel. As planned. "To kill Halfdan without angering King Haakon. "That ring has magic in it. And if you tell him that I want Halfdan dead too. grinning spitefully. he always finds a way to ignore it or to embarrass me. In the corner." So Egil waited. But only Egil could be seen. the invisible. honey-yellow amber-stone. I have treated you badly and wish to apologize. He acts as if he has been just a poet his whole life. carved with strange runes and decorated with a glittering. The next night." Thrand said."I know. with a habit of occasionally licking his lips." Halfdan said. please take this gift." "Ah. which I can use to make Halfdan say whatever I choose. Egil said. but an exile from Finland. He was not Norse. for this wizard is a very close friend." "Fine." "Fine. you must find a way to get Halfdan to challenge you to a duel. because the wizard wore a magic cloak from Finland that made him invisible. taking the enchanted ring and slipping it onto a finger. until he decided that he had waited enough. loud enough for everybody in the hall to hear. "But he won't challenge me. "Well. Egil staggered forward. watching wizard saw that the time had come to use the magic of the ring. "Halfdan! I don't know about the manners of folk in Fjordane. one-eyed. where he spoke with the invisible wizard. He will know what to do." After a silence. a powerful wizard. "There is another problem."
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. No matter how I try to provoke him. "Halfdan." said the wizard." Egil visited this wizard. The wizard was called Thrand. "Do it now!" Thrand's disembodied voice said. Thrand knew mighty magic.

so that "any weapon that he tries to use against you will leap out of his hand. The spear slammed into the oak-wood circle and knocked Halfdan back a step. where both Halfdan and I are from. Egil said. who defends himself. his evil eyes twinkling. Egil insisted on inspecting Halfdan's weapons." According to the traditions of duelling. "OSLO IS FULL OF FOOLS. he secretly held a rune-covered piece of walrus-horn in a hand and touched it to both of the weapons. The piece of walrus-horn had been enchanted by Thrand. I must check if Halfdan is planning such a trick!" "Ridiculous!" Halfdan said. "Yes. Let's fight. but did no hurt. he had brought a spear. "It can do no harm to look.Halfdan lowered his shield in time to block it." Halfdan (amazed to find such unwanted words flying out of his mouth) shouted: "I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!" Thrand grinned and walked out of the hall. on a little island on a river that ran into Oslo-fjord. you let yourself be used as a woman every ninth night!" (That was the worst insult among Norse fighters. In a Norse duel. out of the square. "No. Egil attacked first. As Halfdan had made the challenge.And on the other side of the hall. one party strikes a blow at the other. "Do you want to check my weapons for poison?" Egil asked. a shield and a sword.) Halfdan: "EGIL! YOU LET YOURSELF BE USED AS A WOMAN EVERY NINTH NIGHT!" Thrand: "I challenge you to a duel. AND YOU ARE THE WORST!" Thrand: "Egil. Enough silliness. "Because in the west-lands. "I accept your duel-challenge. "Oslo is full of fools. Neither duellist would be allowed to leave the duelling-square. why?" King Haakon said. "My turn. sneaky men have been known to put poison on the iron of their weapons. glaring at each other with old hate. Before the fight. He ran across the packed. Halfdan ripped the ring from his finger and complained. marking a square. The well-thrown spear sped towards Halfdan's leg -. crunchy snow at Halfdan and hurled his spear at him. magic-craft pulled Halfdan to his feet and the wizard's words burst loudly from Halfdan's mouth: "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!" Thrand whispered. leaving you unharmed. But King Haakon shrugged and said." the Fjordane-man snarled at the Sogn-man. "Why?" Halfdan asked. "I was enchanted by magic! I did not say those words!" But nobody believed him. Halfdan wore a helmet and body-armour." Egil said. and you are the worst!" Halfdan shouted. Egil and Halfdan stood in opposite corners of the stone-marked square. As Egil inspected the spear and the sword." Halfdan did not notice Egil's sneaky action with the magic item. The duel was to be held the next afternoon. Grey stones were put on the snowy ground. Halfdan yanked Egil's spear from his shield and tossed it aside. Then the positions are reversed." The duelling-square was surrounded by King Haakon and his Oslo-fighters.
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Behind his round shield. wrapping it around Egil's hips. "Halfdan. Egil's next sword-swing made it past Halfdan's shield. "Now it's my turn. squeezing Egil's hands between Halfdan's chest and jawbone. Their shields collided with a huge impact. Halfdan charged at Egil. "Never!" and charged." Halfdan growled. managing to wrap his other leg around him too. Both of their helmets had fallen off. Halfdan. Egil let go of his sword and shield. clanging off Halfdan's helmet. the enchanted weapon twisted itself out of his hand and spun away. Egil grabbed at Halfdan's neck with strong fingers. "Out of bounds!" Halfdan scowled. Halfdan grabbed the back of Egil's bodyarmour with one hand. Halfdan let go of his shield. until Halfdan was under Egil. trying to pull it up over Egil's head. swinging his sword at Egil's leg. and they rolled back and forth on the snow. King Haakon shouted. The wizard had told Egil to touch the magic walrus-horn to all Halfdan's weapons. Once a weapon left the duelling-square. waited for his foe's sword-swing. you are without weapons. Egil fell back. Egil will have the right to take all of your property. who was stronger. shield held high. Halfdan tried to scrape his fingers across Egil's eyes. But. "I suspect that more evil magic is at work here!" King Haakon looked troubled. but as the deflected blade swung down. "It's outside the square!" Egil crowed. with Halfdan on top of him. but Egil had only enchanted Halfdan's spear and sword. Egil sneered. but said nothing. "Nice throw!" Egil mocked. trying to choke. allowing the duel to continue. to the cheers of the excited crowd. squeezing him in a tight ring of muscle and
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. They rolled wildly. Halfdan said. landing just outside the line of stones." Halfdan spat. King Haakon said. but I say that you will be able to leave my kingdom in safety. it could not be recovered. The spear flew high and to the right over Egil's grinning face. He charged at Egil. Halfdan half-blocked it with the edge of his shield. Both of Halfdan's legs were wrapped around Egil's hips. "First blood to Egil!" It was now Halfdan's turn. If you wish to surrender now. Halfdan twisted himself flat on his back under Egil.Halfdan held his spear over his right shoulder. just before the spear left his hand. sword in hand for blocking. wrestling furiously. and with his other. Just before the sword struck Egil. All he had left was a shield. The well-aimed blade whipped at the shoulder of Halfdan's sword-arm. ice-clogged river and sinking. ran towards Egil and hurled it at Egil's head. Halfdan pushed his chin down. Now Egil drew his sword and charged at Halfdan. ruining the throw.) Halfdan kicked one of his legs out from under Egil's heavy bulk. stunning Halfdan and painfully pulling a muscle in his neck. splashing into the grey. it slashed Halfdan's leg. he locked his ankles together behind Egil's back. the weapon magically twitched. forgetting that a shield was a weapon too. (The stabbing had forever weakened some of Halfdan's gutmuscles. "Run out of magic tricks?" Halfdan grunted. pushing him down to the snowy ground. The blade tore Halfdan's pants and scraped a deep cut into Halfdan's leg.

yanking his head from side to side to escape the breath-blocking hands. Halfdan spat out the meat. Spat. biting hard into the flesh. Drooling blood.bone. but could not -. "Die! Die!" "No. Egil tried to pull away. Halfdan grabbed Egil's beard and pulled it upwards. fountaining into Halfdan's face. knocking out teeth." Egil finally whispered. "I don't care. jagged mouthful of teeth onto Egil's throat. redfaced. now he was gasping for air. Halfdan yanked back his head. so that he was lying on top of Egil now. Drooling blood-pink spit. Egil's eyes were starting to bulge. Halfdan moved his mouth to the side of Egil's head and bit through Egil's sweaty yellow hair. to both choke Halfdan and hammer the back of his head onto the hard-packed snow. Halfdan's hands were still trying to scratch out Egil's eyes. wriggling on his back as he kept squeezing his legs around Egil's strong and twisting body." Halfdan squeezed Egil's neck and mid-section until Egil went limp. Egil was still. Halfdan rolled over. Halfdan swallowed the jagged little chunk. trying to put his hands over Egil's mouth and nose to block his breath. his teeth finding the lobe of Egil's ear. at the same time. Egil screamed. pounding the thick lips. Egil tried. Then Halfdan changed tactics. Halfdan bit it off. wriggling! Halfdan's arms and legs squeezed and squeezed. He closed his broken. shoving the other arm up into the front of the foe's throat. panicking. Egil pulled his hands from Halfdan's neck and pushed his left hand down onto one of Halfdan's forearms. the dripping ends of veins and arteries dangling down his beard. Egil managed to pin Halfdan's right arm to the snow. but Halfdan heard nothing. Halfdan closed his eyes and kept squeezing his legs around Egil's flabby middle. Soon Egil was breathing hard. to pull away. Egil's free hand stormed punches down into Halfdan's face. more frantic now. Egil wriggled and threw ineffective punches at Halfdan's sides and head. Halfdan spat out the bits of teeth and tried to block the punches with his own free hand. barely breathing. He raised his head to the sky and gargled the mouthful of warm gore. The squeezing made it hard for Egil to breathe. showing everybody Egil's pale throat. He gripped Halfdan's neck again and tried. Egil surprised Halfdan by smashing his forehead down to strike Halfdan's bloody mouth. thank you. Halfdan chanted a mocking-poem about Egil.
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." Halfdan grunted. lowered his mouth to the bloody mess of throat. then drank it. Egil said. roaring crude. Halfdan managed to pull both his arms free and to wrap one around the back of Egil's neck. "I give up. cruel words up at the blank clouds. The crowd was roaring its approval. filled his mouth with the flowing blood. turning the nearby snow dark red. Blood sprayed up from Egil's torn throat. pulling out a chunk of blood-dripping flesh.Halfdan's arms ruled his neck and Halfdan's legs ruled the middle of Egil's body. with steam rising in the cold air. Another of Halfdan's teeth was knocked out.

The suburban shack that was home to the wizard from Finland was attacked by an angry mob of Oslo-men. the wizard changed back to the shape of a man.King Haakon announced that Halfdan had won the duel.
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. Fatally hurt. but somebody shot at the bat with an arrow. one of her favourite silk dresses was taken away. he confessed to using his outlandish magic against Halfdan -. Halfdan left Oslo in the spring. bringing the bat to the ground. loaded with silver and fame. Solvi confessed to her father that she had been involved.and to many other crimes. Thrand turned himself into a bat and tried to fly away. and she was ordered to stay out of the hall. For her punishment. Before dying. Later. Oslo was a better place without that nasty wizard. everybody agreed.

Harald the Messy-Haired was elected the next king of Sogn and Fjordane. and was beloved by all. A good king. King Harald and his well-led fighters soon forced the king of Førde into exile and took over his lands. He stood -. through my hall Then out another window Everywhere. he tripped on a tree-root and struck his head on a sharp rock. unlucky King Atli fell head-first into a barrel of Yule-mead and drunkenly drowned.
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.his skull broken. bright-feathered. Over the following years. So ends this saga. A great king! This is how folk say that King Halfdan met his end: as an old man. King Harald ended the tradition of king-elections. Never before had there been a unified kingdom of Norway with a single king. He ruled peacefully and justly for many years. folk wonder What is death? What is life? Life is a light burden And death weighs even less When he finished. has been a direct descendant of Halfdan the Black and Yngvild of Starheim.33: SAGA'S END A few years later. His end inspired many poems. It is blanketed by thick snow in winter. Halfdan was elected the next king of Sogn and Fjordane. King Halfdan kissed Queen Yngvild and Harald and Yngebjørg (their younger son) and Ragnhild (their daughter). King Halfdan's body rests. Then he fell.and he sang a now-famous poem: I've walked from place to place With my art of poetry Describing my heart's dreams Pouring words for all to drink The lovely bird of life Flew in through a window Flapped. his oldest son Erik inherited his rule. King Harald conquered Norse kingdom after Norse kingdom. every summer sprouting wildflowers. on the deck of a war-ship inside a burial-mound near Eid. globs of brains dribbling down his face -. Rule of Norway has passed from fathers to oldest sons ever since. Though still a very young man. from Hålogaland in the north to Oslo in the south. during a forest-walk with his family near the sacred waterfall. Every king of Norway. even to this day. even to this day. until he ruled all Norway.